“This career gives you so much in return, but it truly is dependent on how much you put in. Don’t be afraid to put a lot into it, because it will pay dividends.”

Captain Bobby Dubnow

Why did you become a firefighter?

Captain Bobby Dubnow is in his 30th year of firefighting with the Phoenix Fire Department. Beginning in high school, Dubnow led several types of outdoor guided tours focusing mostly on commercial river running. In order to do that, he had to get training with search and rescue.

This training and guiding experience sparked an interest for him, but he didn’t jump straight into the fire service. Dubnow went to University of Michigan where he earned a degree in Political Science.

“So, naturally, I became a fireman.”

Capt. Dubnow

Dubnow had some friends who were working with the Phoenix Fire Department, which was led by the legendary Chief Alan Brunacini at the time. Dubnow appreciated Brunacini’s novel approach to the fire service and he knew that the cutting edge Phoenix Fire Department was the place for him.

“There are limitless directions to go in the fire service,” Captain Dubnow remarked. After excelling as an engineer, Dubnow promoted to captain in 2004. Later, he entertained a command officer position when he was on the list for a battalion chief position but he decided to turn it down so he could continue in his role with Special Operations.

Today, Captain Dubnow is the Program Manager for the Technical Rescue team of Phoenix Fire Department’s Special Operations unit. He oversees 220 technical rescue technicians within the city of Phoenix as they collaborate with other agencies in the region like the Police EOD Bomb Squad and SWAT team.

When he’s not protecting and serving his community, Captain Dubnow enjoys spending time with his family. Lisa, his wife (left), has been a physical therapist for almost as long as he has been a firefighter. Bobby and Lisa have three kids, all of whom are striving to educate themselves and give back to their communities like their parents.

What advice do you have for other firefighters?

“Take advantage of every opportunity — whether you feel like you’re ready for it or not.”

Captain Dubnow encourages young firefighters to embrace the opportunities presented to them. “Don’t be afraid of things you don’t know a whole lot about yet,” Captain Dubnow reassured. “The only way to learn is to jump right in.“

For Captain Dubnow, some of his failures turned into career-building opportunities that led him to where he is today.

Dubnow wants young firefighters to find what inspires them about the fire service and dive into it. “This career gives you so much in return but it truly is dependent on how much you put in. Don’t be afraid to put a lot into it, because it will pay dividends,” Captain Dubnow stated.

What do you enjoy most about the fire service?

The unknown about what his duties will call for each day.

Captain Dubnow became a member of the Arizona Task Force 1 FEMA USAR team shortly after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centers in September 2001. His first deployment came five months later in 2002, when the Winter Olympics were held in Salt Lake City.

Serving for the Arizona Task Force 1 keeps Captain Dubnow on his toes. He has been deployed for several hurricanes, earthquakes, and other events across the country.

What changes do you foresee in the fire service?

From the way stations are designed, to the way responding crews are alerted, Captain Dubnow has seen a lot of change in the fire service already throughout his career.

Captain Dubnow believes it’s critical for the fire service to place it’s efforts on constantly evolving to make sure firefighters are able to continue to carry out their duties safely and effectively. With so many changes going on in the world around them, firefighters must adapt and improve as well.

With that being said, Dubnow knows that the foundation of the fire service is here to stay.

“The way we carry out our duties may change to protect us and improve our abilities, but the core service delivery model will never change.”

In late May of 2020, a young man was on a quad out in the Arizona desert. Unbeknownst to him, he was heading straight towards an abandoned mine shaft. By the time he realized it, it was too late and he was sent barreling to the bottom of the shaft with his quad.

The young man remarkably survived the 40-foot vertical fall and was able to call for help. Captain Dubnow and his Technical Rescue Team went en route, prepared to rescue the young man after training on this type of rescue in the past.

Thanks to the Technical Rescue Team’s training and experience, they were able to get the young man out of the mine shaft, off the mountain, and transported to definitive care at a trauma center in just a couple of hours. This is an incredible feat for such a complex and technical rescue call.

After several months of rehabilitation, the young man was healthy again. He and his family invited all of the rescuers who were involved on that call to a reunion at one of the local fire stations. This was a wonderful moment for all involved on that fateful day. It’s not often that firefighters get to reunite with someone they rescued in their most dire situation.

For more information on Captain Dubnow, check out this article too!