AMBOY — Sam Arola and Gordon Brooks of Clark County Fire District 10 were named as the North Clark Historical Museum’s 2022 Citizens of the Year for their commitment to the fire department and their commitment to the community.
Sam Arola grew up in the Dollars Corner area. He attended Clark College and earned an associate degree. He has been married to his best friend, Karen, for 50 years. They have two daughters and four granddaughters. Arola’s interest in being a firefighter was sparked by the impressive neighborhood volunteer fire department in Dollars Corner. Arola joined Amboy’s Fire District 10 in 1976. He has served ever since and became fire chief in 1998.
Gordon Brooks graduated from Mossy Rock High School in 1980. As an adult, Brooks chose to plant roots and raise his six children in north Clark County. He worked in Vancouver for the Department of Transportation as an engineering technician. He became the first full-time employee of Fire District 10 in 1998.
Both Arola and Brooks are involved in going out on calls for accidents, medical issues, fires, and helping North Country EMS on medical calls and other projects. They are also involved in the blood drives, Santa Claus, Kokanee Derby on Lake Merwin, Sausage Booth at Territorial Days, and lawn mower races at Territorial Days.
Arola and Brooks like to help out community members on their own time and have been very supportive of the museum.
