A familiar face is now representing Erath County as Emergency Management Coordinator. Chris Brooks, who many may know from his work as Erath County Fire Coordinator was hired by the county for the position last week.
Brooks will also still be performing his duties as Erath County Fire Coordinator since the two positions work hand-in-hand with each other.
“We are excited to announce the appointment of Chris Brooks as Erath County Emergency Management Coordinator. I believe Chris is a key piece as we build a more collaborative and effective department and I’m excited to work with him and all the first responders in Erath County,” County Judge Brandon Huckabee said.
Brooks has been the Erath County Fire Coordinator since September 2013 and said the reason he originally became a volunteer firefighter was due to wanting the knowledge of what to do in an emergency situation.
Brooks worked at CarQuest from 1995-2000. One day, a young man had a medical emergency while driving, crashing a van into a tree in the parking lot.
Brooks, along with several other employees, tried to rescue the young man but couldn’t get him out of the vehicle.
“We didn’t know how to help and had to wait for the first responders to get there,” he said. “It was at this point I knew I wanted to learn how to help.”
That volunteering spirit led to Brooks volunteering for the city of Stephenville for a year, then moving to Burkburnett from 2003-07.
When he returned to the area, there were no positions available so he volunteered with Oakdale VFD for a couple of years and then moved to volunteering with Erath County VFD after that, for 12 years.
“It is a great pleasure to take this Erath County Emergency Management Coordinator. My mother has always said I have had a servant’s heart, and I feel that this position, along with the fire service, is the greatest way to continue my service to the great citizens of Erath County,” Brooks said, about his new position. As a volunteerfirefighterandErath County Fire Coordinator, Brooks possesses much of the knowledge needed for the position but will also be attending a convention soon to gain more knowledge and to network with others in the field.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with the county judge and the commissioners,” he said.
One of the top priorities for Brooks and the county will be the continued improvement of the communications radio system, a project that has been ongoing for several years. After last year’s extreme wildfire season for Erath County and the surrounding area, Brooks will also be working on a community wildfire protection plan.
When he isn’t working or volunteering, he enjoys sharing time with his kids, Josh, Katelyn and Lauren and his girlfriend. Both Katelyn and Lauren attend Lingleville High School.