James E. Cook is one of the most respected Firefighters in the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection-Riverside Unit/Riverside County Fire Department.  He has worked for the CDF/Riverside County Fire Department for 33 years.  He has held the position of Firefighter, Fire Apparatus Engineer, Fire Captain and Battalion Chief.  He is now Battalion Chief in the Moreno Valley Battalion where his duties include administration/supervision of the battalion and responding to fires and incidents.

 

In 1995 the compassion in Jim’s life stirred him to start and coordinate the Chaplain Program for Riverside County Fire Department.  He saw a great need that was unmet for the victims of fire and trauma of life.  The Chaplain Program utilizes qualified individuals to provide ministry support to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of department personnel and their families, along with the victims and families the department serves.  The program is structured to provide the service of caring for the victim’s family while the professional firefighter/medic attends to the victim.

 

Jim is tireless in his giving to other people.  He is truly a man that cares about people and the hurts in their life.  Jim is also very involved in his church and very active in the community of Beaumont where he lives.  It can truly be said of Jim that he is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.  His selfless service is a model to fire personnel, friends, community acquaintances and all with whom he comes in contact.