Crime & Safety
Brooks Receives Mass. VFW Firefighter of the Year Award
The award is one of three given to EMTs, firefighters and police officers for excellence and dedication on the job.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated with a correction on Capt. James Brooks' military service.
Newly minted Danvers Fire Capt. James Brooks was recognized recently with a Firefighter of the Year Award from the Massachusetts branch of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Brooks said he was surprised to learn of the honor, especially because he works behind a desk most days rather than on a truck racing to the scene of a fire or accident.
He's the department's Fire Prevention Officer and handles inspections, investigations, device testing, permits and fire safety.
Brooks also served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
"I was very humbled to accept [the award]," Brooks said. "There's firefighters running into burning buildings and for them to select the guy behind a desk..."
He added it just goes to reflect that the entire department is one team.
Fellow firefighter James Simon nominated Brooks for the award, which is one of three awards each state VFW gives to public servants (EMTs, firefighters and police officers) for excellence and dedication on the job.
One person is then chosen for each category with a national award.
The honors go to someone who “during the course of his or her career has displayed an exceptional record of exemplary and courageous service to the community and the nation,” says Fire Chief Kevin Farrell.
He notified town officials of the award and it was mentioned briefly at a Board of Selectmen's meeting last month, but due to Brooks' humble nature, the news didn't spread too far, according to Farrell.
He said Brooks didn't even tell him about it at first. The award was presented at a dinner hosted by the Mass. VFW in Marshfield in June.
Newly minted Danvers Fire Capt. James Brooks was recognized recently with a Firefighter of the Year Award from the Massachusetts branch of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Brooks said he was surprised to learn of the honor, especially because he works behind a desk most days rather than on a truck racing to the scene of a fire or accident.
He's the department's Fire Prevention Officer and handles inspections, investigations, device testing, permits and fire safety.
Brooks also served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
"I was very humbled to accept [the award]," Brooks said. "There's firefighters running into burning buildings and for them to select the guy behind a desk..."
He added it just goes to reflect that the entire department is one team.
Fellow firefighter James Simon nominated Brooks for the award, which is one of three awards each state VFW gives to public servants (EMTs, firefighters and police officers) for excellence and dedication on the job.
One person is then chosen for each category with a national award.
The honors go to someone who “during the course of his or her career has displayed an exceptional record of exemplary and courageous service to the community and the nation,” says Fire Chief Kevin Farrell.
He notified town officials of the award and it was mentioned briefly at a Board of Selectmen's meeting last month, but due to Brooks' humble nature, the news didn't spread too far, according to Farrell.
He said Brooks didn't even tell him about it at first. The award was presented at a dinner hosted by the Mass. VFW in Marshfield in June.
Brooks has 25 years with the Fire Department and has been the Fire Prevention Officer for six years, regarded as an expert in that work -- other departments often consult with him and he represents Danvers as part of a regional fire prevention team under the Essex County Fire Chiefs Association.
He first joined the Fire Department in 1988 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1997. He was promoted to Captain on March 3.
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