LON SLEPICKA
Firehouse.com News
Courtesy Birmingham Fire Rescue Service
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Captain Carl Cook, a 27-year veteran with the Birmingham, AL Fire and
Rescue Service, died of a heart attack Friday. The 55-year-old
firefighter was completing an annual physical test, which simulates
tasks firefighters perform on the fire scene, when he complained of
shortness of breath and chest pain.
According to Public Information Officer Captain C.W. Mardis,
firefighters on the scene began immediate assistance for Cook and he was
transported by ALS to Baptist Medical Center, Princeton Hospital in
Birmingham where he was pronounced dead. Cook had recently returned to
duty with his doctor's clearance after care for a heart condition.
Mardis said Cooks was one of the first African-American firefighters
hired in Birmingham. In that capacity he became a national leader for
social change testifying before the U.S. Senate on affirmative action
and becoming one of the founders of the Birmingham Professional
Firefighters Association.
Mardis said he was well respected and well loved in the community where
he worked with his church and the Elks of Birmingham. "He livened up the
room when he walked in. He always had a smile on his face and a kind
word for everyone."
Cook was currently serving as Captain of Station 29. One of his latest
assignments had been as an arson investigator for five years.
Cook is survived by his wife Olinda and adult son Carl
Jr. Tentative arrangements for the funeral were being planned for
Wednesday. All the details including memorials are still to be decided
and Firehouse.Com News will post the information when it becomes
available.
Birmingham Fire Rescue Service has 688 personnel in 30 stations. They
run EMS transport with 17 units and protect the metro population of
about 265,000.
Funeral Services were held at 1:00 p.m. on June 18 at Mount Pilgrim Baptist
Church.
A Capt. Carl Cook Memorial fund has been established. Donations can be sent
to:
Capt. Carl Cook Memorial
c/o Birmingham Professional Firefighters Association
P.O. Box 55804
Birmingham, AL 35255
