General terms:
* A force of... (e.g., a force of soldiers, a force of firefighters)
* A group of... (e.g., a group of soldiers, a group of firefighters)
* A company of... (e.g., a company of soldiers, a company of firefighters)
More specific terms:
* A battalion of... (if the brigade is a military unit)
* A contingent of... (if the brigade is a temporary unit)
Ultimately, the best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.