Raymond Brooks

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Raymond Brooks (born 1944 in Indiana) is a former chief of the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service (December 1997 - March 2002) and a candidate for the 2007 Birmingham mayoral election.

Brooks' mother is a native of Pratt City. Before coming to Birmingham, Brooks was a fire chief in Michigan City, Indiana (1979 - 1987); Evanston, Illinois (1987 - 1991); Alhambra, California (1991 - 1994) and San Jose, California (1994 - 1995). He joined the Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service as a deputy chief in 1996, declining an offer to interview for a similar job in Pasadena, Calfornia. He was promoted to chief after the retirement of Oscar Brennan 15 months later.

As Birmingham's fire chief, Brooks commanded a department with over 700 sworn personnel, 30 stations, and an annual budget of over $40 million. He led projects to bring emergency medical transport under the city's jurisdiction and initiated a city-wide exercise to train emergency responders for a terrorist scenario involving a weapon of mass destruction. He secured federal grants for improved radio communications and other equipment. He resigned because he did not receive a pay raise from the city during his tenure.

He left Birmingham to become fire chief of Compton, California (2002 - 2004), and also that city's Assistant City Manager. He retired from both positions in August 2004 and moved back to Birmingham.

Brooks has a bachelor of science in fire science management from Southern Illinois University and has completed training at the National Fire Academy and two years of management studies at Purdue University in Westville, Indiana.

Brooks announced his candidacy for mayor in early August, 2007. His main platform issues are reducing crime, expanding economic development, and encouraging college graduates to remain in the city. Brooks has been endorsed by the Birmingham chapter of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters.

References

  • Bryant, Joseph D. (August 12, 2007) "Former fire chief wants to be mayor." Birmingham News.
  • Niolet, Benjamin (July 2, 2002) "Mayor gives department heads $270,000 in raises." Birmingham News.
  • "New fire chief Brooks took Birmingham over Pasadena" (December 17, 1997) Birmingham News.
  • Bryant, Joseph D. (September 25, 2007) "Ex-fire chief offers bold action for city." Birmingham News.

External links

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