Meet Firefighter/EMT Matt Brooks

Where are you stationed?

Station 1 (W. Dayton Street) on the ‘A’ shift.

What do you like about your station or territory?

Madison is a great city and, being at Station 1, you’re in the center and the hub of it all. There are so many events, from sporting events to concerts, the Cross Fit Games, and the marathons. We get all sorts of calls in the territory, and you never know what you'll get next. It’s great being able to be a part of that. 

What was your career prior to MFD?

I was a personal trainer for six years with Orange Shoe Personal Training, and I worked for a construction company for the past 10 years. I think those aspects— staying fit as a personal trainer and having a lot of experience with tools— were really beneficial prior to coming here.

Looking back at the Recruit Academy, what do you remember the most?

Smoke Divers week and high-rise week were definitely the most memorable weeks that we had at the academy. This is because of the camaraderie and the way we worked with each other, trusted each other, and the way that we worked together to get through the tough situations that they put in front of us. They were really great bonding experiences with the other recruits in my class.

What are some professional goals you have for yourself?

I’m just taking it one day at a time. Coming in with no prior experience and learning to become a firefighter/EMT, I’m just trying to learn to be really good at being a firefighter/EMT. I’d like to go to paramedic school and join a special team, but right now, I’m very happy with where I’m at and learning from all the crews at the stations and fellow firefighters.