David S. Scannell (1820 – March 30, 1893) was an American firefighter, law enforcement official, and veteran of the Mexican–American War. Scannell was born in New York City in 1820, and began working as a volunteer firefighter when he was just twelve years old. In 1846 he volunteered to fight during the Mexican–American War, and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the . His unit fought at the battles of Veracruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, Chapultepec and . His unit experienced extremely heavy casualties, but Scannell returned to New York uninjured.