Use a wire brush to etch it and cleaned up,then use mineral spirits to get any wax or oily residue that may be on it get some primer(many kinds out their),have the place tint it to the paint color you want.Then go ahead and paint it to your likeing.

I would go with an oil based primer on the red brick as you can get clay staining from some brick if you prime with latex. You can use a quick dry or slow dry primer as either will work just fine.