Captain Brooks began his fire service career in 2005 as a Paid Call Firefighter at Avila Valley—Station 62. As a fifth-generation local and 2003 graduate of San Luis Obispo High School, he has deep roots on the Central Coast.

He went on to serve eight seasons as a Seasonal Firefighter with Cal Fire in San Luis Obispo County. During that time, he also launched and operated a CrossFit gym, combining public service with a passion for fitness and coaching. He later worked as a Firefighter and Engineer at the Atascadero State Hospital Fire Department before being promoted to Fire Captain with Cambria Fire in January 2024.