Brookfield Fire Chief David Mason has only been on the job for about four months. But in that time, he's already won the First Responder of the Year award for the 14th Assembly District.
It's an award he's happy to receive but never expected.
"There's no expectation for this kind of recognition," Mason said. "I appreciate it, but I was a bit surprised."
The award was given to Mason by Rep. Robyn Vining at the state Capitol in October.
Mason came on as chief of the Fire Department in June. Before then, he served as assistant chief for nine years.
But his career in emergency services began long before then.
In 1991, Mason, who was a registered nurse, began to work as a flight nurse for Flight for Life in Milwaukee. But he had always wanted to be a firefighter. So he went for it.