Hillsboro FD chaplain lands national award

This is a press release courtesy of Hillsboro Fire and Rescue

A local fire department chaplain has been selected as the Fire Department Chaplain of the Year for North America. The award was presented to Chaplain Steve Brodehl of Hillsboro Fire Department on Wednesday, October 21st by the Federation of Fire Chaplains at the organization's annual conference in La Quinta, California.
 
The award acknowledges chaplains for their service, training and contributions to the community they serve.
 
"Steve helped form our chaplain program here and is a driving force in helping our citizens cope with loss," said Hillsboro Fire Chief Gary Seidel. Brodehl has been a chaplain at Hillsboro Fire Department for nearly 10 years and jointly serves Hillsboro and neighboring Washington County Fire District #2. He started in the fire service at age 16 in Parkdale, Oregon, and has served Redmond Fire Department before coming to Hillsboro.
 
His largely volunteer mission is to respond to emergency incidents where citizens have been emotionally impacted by fire, accident or other trauma and provide counseling and comfort.
 
Additionally, Chaplain Brodehl visits fire stations to reach out to firefighters and other responders who may be impacted by the occasional horrific incidents to which they respond. Brodehl says for most responders, it is the incident where children are injured or killed that shakes them to the core.
    
Chaplains are dispatched to all working house and apartment fires, injury and fatality traffic accidents, aircraft incidents and anything where citizens are likely to need some emotional support to cope. Steve's life is not filled completely with tragedy though.
 
"I get to perform weddings for some of the firefighters I work with and that scores a ten in my heart," said Brodehl. His everyday goal, though, is to provide some hope when there is no hope. An ordained minister in a non-denominational Christian church, Brodehl says it is spiritual support, not religious, unless the person requests it.
 
Steve is married with four children and nine grandchildren.