Veteran firefighter to be S.L. chief

After nearly 24 years with the Salt Lake City Fire Department, Deputy Chief of Operations Kurt Cook will take full control of the department Friday.

Cook, who has garnered recommendations from Mayor Ralph Becker and outgoing Chief Tom Shannon, sailed through an interview with the City Council and was unanimously confirmed Tuesday evening.

"It's truly an honor to be here," Cook said. "I'm deeply humbled. … To say (my time with the department) has been rewarding would be less than adequate. It's been a privilege. I'm deeply honored to be a part of it."

Cook, a second-generation Salt Lake City firefighter who said the business is "all I've ever known," will officially assume his new role Friday.

Backed by a few dozen uniformed firefighters Tuesday, Cook has the abilities to lead the department, council members said.

"It comes down to leadership and the ability to make the troops march," said Councilman JT Martin. "It appears to me … you have those qualities."

With Salt Lake County Councilman Michael Jensen set to soon take the reigns of the Unified Fire Authority, the county's largest fire department, Cook said working to build relationships with regional agencies is a top priority.

Cook replaces Shannon, who was named the department's chief less than a year ago. Shannon announced his resignation earlier this month, saying a number of issues — including his father's health and an inability to sell his home in Arizona, which prevented his family from ever joining him in Utah — forced him to make then difficult decision to step down.

Shannon received a standing ovation from those in attendance Tuesday.

"It's rare you find somebody who makes such an impact in such a short time," Cook said. "It's bittersweet that I'm here."

e-mail: afalk@desnews.com