Washington fire Chief Linn Brookman retires after nearly 40 years of service
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Fire Chief Lynn Brookman, shown at the main Washington fire station on Tuesday, is retiring this month.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Washington fire Chief Lynn Brookman, who is set to retire this month after 38 years of fire service, says the brotherhood among firefighters is the thing he’ll “miss the most.”
After 38 years in fire service, Washington fire Chief Linn Brookman is hanging up the turnout gear – for the second time.
“I want to thank everyone for everything they’ve done for myself and my family over the years,” Brookman said Thursday, after City Council accepted his retirement. “I don’t think I could’ve worked for a better place than the city of Washington.”
Brookman, 68, had retired from the department as a captain in 1995. Nine years later, when Chief Jack Manning retired, the city asked Brookman to return to lead the department.
“I never thought I’d be back, and to be back for so many more years,” Brookman said.
His 14 years as chief was the culmination of a path of destiny begun at a very young age, he said, as the fire station has been his home since before his father, Paul Brookman, was chief from 1973 to 1989.
“I remember being here when I was 5 years old,” he said.
Brookman was 21 when he became a firefighter, and he worked his way up through the ranks. Over his 38 years with the department, he’s responded to countless emergency calls, through which he’s gotten to know this city, its people and the inevitable heartaches that accompany the job.
“The worst one I had was the death of a firefighter,” Brookman said.
Jeremy LaBella was 28 years old when a burning building on Allison Avenue collapsed on him Feb. 4, 2007. Brookman said LaBella was the first Washington firefighter to die in the line of duty in 100 years.
“Like I told his parents, not a day goes by when I don’t think about him,” Brookman said.
For Brookman, the job has had its happy moments, too. He said one of his greatest joys in firefighting is getting to know his “brothers” and their families, and seeing their children grow up.
“That’s the thing that I’ll miss the most – it’s a brotherhood,” he said. “I’m here five days a week and on call 24/7.”
He, too, will be missed by the 21 firefighters who currently work with him, including Capt. Nick Blumer, who’s been with the department for 22 years.
“He’s seen a lot of things happen with the department,” Blumer said about Brookman. “It’s going to leave a hole for a while – he’s taking a lot of experience with him out the door.”
Blumer said Brookman has always brought a positive attitude with him to work. Dustin Danley, a firefighter of 10 years, said Brookman was always taking on extra tasks around the city, such as hanging the Christmas wreaths and walking through parks looking for heroin needles.
“He’s been a great chief and a great friend,” Danley said.
Brookman also will be missed by city officials and council members, as was made clear Thursday by the standing ovation he received at City Hall. Each member of council thanked Brookman for his service to the department.
“Thank you for all the help you’ve given me,” said Mayor Scott Putnam. “Thank you for all your years of service to the city. You will be missed.”
Council also voted unanimously to hire Gerald Coleman as the new chief, starting after Brookman’s last day April 27. Coleman, who was one of three applicants from within the department, has been a Washington firefighter for 22 years.
“When I started in the fire service in 1985 with South Strabane, I started to work my way up through the ranks,” Coleman said Thursday. “Being a fire chief has always been a dream of mine. The two chiefs that I worked under here were just amazing men, and I hope to continue that tradition.”
Brookman said all three applicants were “capable” of doing the job and that the decision was entirely up to the mayor and council, who plan to have a formal swearing-in for Coleman at their May meeting.
“I’ve worked with Gerry a long time now,” he said. “I believe he’ll do a great job.”
Brookman said he plans to stay in Washington during his retirement, as he has “a long list of things to accomplish.” Brookman said he also will be spending time with family. He has two children, two stepchildren and 10 grandchildren.
“I’ve been in this city all my life,” he said. “It’s been a great ride.”