The Birmingham Times learned on yesterday that Birmingham Fire Chief Ivor Brooks died at Brookwood Medical Center at the age of 57 from a heart attack, according to a city hall employee.
A Glance At His Life
Fire Chief Ivor J. Brooks was sworn into and became part of the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department May 3, 1982 and worked his way up through the ranks of firefighter to his appointment as our twentieth fire chief.
Serving in the role as chief of the State of Alabama’s largest and most progressive fire department, Chief Brooks provides practical and responsible leadership for nearly 700 line and staff personnel.
He attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Athens State University, Jefferson State Community College and Columbia Southern University. He was trained at the National Fire Academy and at the Department of Justice Weapons of Mass Destruction Training Facility for Incident Commanders. As a result, he served as Incident Commander for the State of Alabama until his appointment to Fire Chief. He completed the Alabama Fire College, the Personnel Standards Commission Fire Chief’s Executive Development Program, and many others.
Chief Brooks received numerous awards and commendations for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the service of our community. He served as a trustee on the board of the historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham.
He was an energetic, personable leader, an innovator and a manager who could be depended on to utilize the best resources available to obtain the best possible results. He is well respected and revered among his colleagues and subordinates in the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department.
He was married to Joyce E. Brooks and they have four children; Ivon, Nyyah, Jae and Matthew.
Funeral arrangements were pending at press time.
