Brookfield Fire Chaplain Tom Powell stands with a resident at a fire scene in 2022
Since April 2022, Tom Powell has served as chaplain for the Brookfield Fire Department, and has done “great things” in that time, Fire Chief David Masirovits said.
Police Chief Aaron Kasiewicz expects no less now that Powell has been approved to serve as chaplain for the police department.
“The officers would greatly benefit from his services,” Kasiewicz said in selling the township trustees on the idea. “Bringing him on board would mean a lot to the morale and the mental health of the officers. We think he can do some amazing things here for us.”
Powell is not ordained but has a bachelor’s degree in bible study and has attended chaplain training.
“My dad was a firefighter, was a volunteer in Vienna, so I was always at the fire station with him as a kid,” Powell said. “When I turned 18 (in 1995) I became a member of the fire department there. I’ve kind of always been around the fire department.”
Powell eventually became a certified emergency medical technician and worked part time for Brookfield in the late 1900s and early 2000s, he said. He still maintains his EMT certification.
Powell started as Vienna fire chaplain, added Brookfield, and now also serves Fowler and Hubbard.
“The first responders have a pretty tough job,” he said. “I just like to be the one that’s looking out for them. I’m kind of in the background on the fire scene, looking out for them. A lot of times it’s just a bottle of water. I like being there for them, letting them know that somebody’s got their back.”
“He’s doing a lot,” Masirovits said. “He shows up on house fires and major accidents and he’s got a little bit of experience. He’s not afraid to jump in and help roll hose or pull a hose.”
Tom Powell takes the oath of office from Brookfield Trustee Dan Suttles. Trustee Shannon Devitz, left, and Fiscal Officer Dena McMullin are behind them.
Powell immediately addresses the family at a fire scene, finding out their needs, the chief said. That “kind of takes that monkey off my back. Contacts the Red Cross, if it’s necessary.”
The police department has had chaplains before and the Rev. Dan Cesene still is in contact with Kasiewicz, but is out of town a lot and endorsed bringing in someone else, Kasiewicz said. The Rev. Dick Smith also served as chaplain when he was pastor of Brookfield United Methodist Church.
Powell has his own fire helmet and coat. He will be issued a protective police vest that has “chaplain” emblazoned on it but will not carry a firearm, Kasiewicz said. Powell will be able to ride with policemen and respond to nonviolent calls.
“I know, with Pastor Dan, it was nice, because that brought people down a big notch, having clergy there,” Kasiewicz said.
Powell said his first priority will be to offer spiritual and emotional support to the officers, but he also will serve with members of the public, when needed.
Powell has started a monthly bible study at Brookfield Fire Department, but participation is not limited to one department.
“We want all first responders to be able to come; so, dispatchers, law enforcement officers, correction officers, fire fighters, paramedics, any first responder that’s interested in coming,” Powell said. “It’s really low key, informal. We all learn from each other. Everybody brings a little different perspective; that’s part of the beauty of the bible – wherever you’re at in life, it kind of speaks to you a little different.”
“It’s nice having him,” Masirovits said. “He’s doing great things.”
