Bruno Bandoni immigrated to the United States in 1904, hoping to achieve the American dream. A native of Lucca, Italy, he opened a butcher shop with his father Giovanni, until he was lured by the fire service. He became a San Francisco firefighter in 1919 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1928. He enjoyed camping, fishing and spending time with his wife Madeline, daughters Dorothy and Ruth and son Don. He died of fire-related injuries.