Two members of the Brewton Fire Department were named as Firefighters of the Year at the annual Firefighters Banquet. They were recognized by the Brewton City Council at its latest meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 14,
Kevin Hoomes was named Career Firefighter of the Year while Cindy Older was named Volunteer Firefighter of the Year.
Hoomes, who has been at the Brewton Fire Department for about 3 1/2 years. Before that he was a volunteer with the Boykin-Damascus Volunteer Fire Department. He was also named as the Career Firefighter of the Year for Escambia County as well. In addition to his work at Brewton Fire Department, he works with the East Brewton Fire Department and owns his own business, Hoomes’ Lawn and Spray Service.
“Without the support of my family I couldn’t do it all,” Hoomes said. “I had lots of friends who have worked with the fire department and it was through them that I got my chance to come to the Brewton Fire Department to work as a professional. I enjoy working with all these guys.”
Lawrence Weaver, Chief of the Brewton Fire Department said that Hoomes is very dependable.
“We have given him the nickname of ‘Smiley’ because he always has a smile on his face,” Weaver said. “No matter what condition he is in, he always smiles, and makes the best of any situation.”
Hoomes and his wife, Kim, have two sons, Walker and Weston.
Cindy Older, who won Volunteer Firefighter of the Year, has found her way back to the fire department after several years. She is a First Responder and a certified volunteer.
“She is very dependable,” said Weaver. “When the pager goes off, she comes right away no matter if its rain or shine.”
Older said she thought about becoming a firefighter years ago, but that was a time when not many women were working for the fire department.
“I tried to get in many years ago,” she said, “but it just wasn’t being done by many women. I went on to other things. I spend four and 1/2 years in the U.S. Navy. It was only a couple of years ago that I had a friend who was a firefighter and I went to a couple of fires with him. I decided I would try it again and I’ve been volunteering for the past 1 1/2 years at the Brewton Fire Department.” Older is now single and she has one son, Will Halverson.