Eric James Flannery was born October 2, 1972, in Glendale, Arizona. After an extended stay at Glendale Hospital, the first place Eric went was Glendale Fire Station 1, where his father worked, for Fire Prevention Day.

Eric attended Desert Palm Elementary School, where he liked and excelled in all sports. He attended Ironwood High School, where he played varsity soccer for all four years. He was named to 1st Team All-State his last two years as goalie.

After graduating from high school, he attended Glendale Community College on a soccer scholarship, where he played goalie and midfielder. This is when Eric changed his major to EMT and fire science, after deciding to follow his father’s career.

After graduating, he applied to Rural Fire Department and was hired in 1998. After five years, Eric tested with Daisy Mountain Fire Department and was hired on 01-02-2003. He was promoted to engineer in October 2005. Eric started on an engine company, then moved to a ladder company, which was his favorite assignment. While on the ladder, he and his 1st captain became the extrication officers for the department. He also sat on multiple apparatus and station committees.

Eric loved to teach people. which started with coaching soccer. He enjoyed teaching people how to fish on guide trips, teaching EMT courses at Forte College, and anything pertaining to fire science or the fire department.

Per Eric’s coworkers, he had a passion for life and loved fishing and the fire service. They also said he was a kind, genuine person who could strike up a conversation with pretty much anybody.

Eric was also known as a great cook, and his fellow firefighters appreciated the wide variety of meals he cooked. Sadly, Eric’s career ended prematurely due to a job-related cancer that he battled for years before dying on April 20, 2023.

He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and coworkers. But we know he is at peace and in a better place.