Veteran City Fire Chief Kurt Cook to Retire After 30 Years
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MAY 1, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – Mayor Ralph Becker announced Thursday that Salt Lake City Fire Department Chief Kurt Cook will be retiring after 30 years of service.
Mayor Becker said Chief Cook’s service to Salt Lake City has been “outstanding in all aspects” and lauded the accomplishments of the department under his leadership.
“Chief Cook’s commitment and dedication to our City over the last 30 years is nothing short of exemplary,” said Mayor Becker. “His leadership and vision have helped make our fire department one of the top first-responder agencies in the country and he leaves a legacy of success and highperformance for our community. He will be much missed.”
“Serving the citizens, business population and visitors of Salt Lake City has been an honor,” said Chief Cook. “Working alongside so many tremendous men and women has been a privilege, something I only dreamed of as a small boy when I would visit my father at the fire stations here in the City.”
Chief Cook joined the City Fire Department in 1985, and represented his class of recruits as valedictorian. His first promotion came in March 1992, when he became an engineer and began driving fire engines and trucks throughout the City. Following his promotion to the rank of Captain in July 1996, Chief Cook served in the Training Division before moving into Operations as a Station Officer. In March 2000, Chief Cook was promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief. During the next six years, Chief Cook served as a Battalion Chief in Operations, a Venue Commander during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and a Training Division Chief. In August 2006, Chief Cook was promoted to Deputy Chief and he handled executive and administrative responsibilities which encompassed all operational and division functions within the fire department.
Chief Cook was sworn in as the Department’s 20th chief on Oct. 23, 2009. During his tenure as Chief, the Salt Lake City Fire Department helped oversee the creation of the City’s new Public Safety Administration Building. Chief Cook led the department as it set the example in many aspects of the fire service, including public relations, training, prevention and education, as well as emergency response.
“Prepare Effectively, Respond Professionally, Impact Positively” became the direction for Salt Lake City firefighters under the guidance of Chief Cook and his administration. This way of action influenced the service provided by Salt Lake City firefighters in every aspect of their jobs.
Chief Cook is a second-generation Salt Lake City firefighter, having followed in the footsteps of his father, Ron, who also served Salt Lake City Fire for 27 years. After looking up to his father, and being proud of his role in the fire service, the younger Cook was hired by Salt Lake City Fire two years before his father retired as a Captain.
“I offer my sincere gratitude to Mayor Ralph Becker for giving me the opportunity to serve Salt Lake City as its fire chief,” Cook said. “I am also thankful to all of the City officials with whom I had the pleasure of working alongside, as well as the residents of Salt Lake City for allowing me to serve.” Salt Lake City plans to announce Chief Cook’s successor in the coming weeks.
