Top firefighter of 2016 named

Firefighter Tim Brooks of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) has been named Mission Viejo’s 2016 OCFA Employee of the Year.

Firefighter Brooks, who has served Mission Viejo for eight years, is known for his vast experience and longtime dedication to this community.

He is responsible for task-level skills on Truck 9, a technical rescue truck for the Orange County Fire Authority. Along with fighting structure and wildland fires, handling medical aids, vehicle accidents and other emergencies, he performs trench, swift-water, rope and helicopter rescues. This impressive firefighter is also a member of FEMA’s California Task Force 5, an elite team of rescuers and support staff who are deployed anywhere throughout the country for hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and other natural or manmade disasters.

Firefighter Brooks has been hailed for serving the public while on and off duty. In fact, earlier this year, while driving to work, he saw a motorcyclist crash on the freeway and immediately sprang into action to help the severely injured man. He did so while putting himself in harm’s way on the freeway.

“For firefighters, public service is at the heart of what we do, it’s why we are here,” said Fire Captain Marty Driscoll, when nominated Firefighter Brooks for the award. “Tim embodies this mentality. Above all else, the pride that Tim takes in being proficient at his job as a technical rescue firefighter enables him to provide the highest level of public service to those who call on the fire department for help.”

Firefighter Brooks will be recognized with other top City and Sheriff’s Department Employees of the Year by the City Council on January 24.