Panko Honored for 40 Years of Service as Cook Firefighter

“I'm surprised I've made it this long, I didn't really think it had been that long,” said Cory Panko of Cook, who was honored for 40 years of service as a firefighter with the Cook Fire Department at a meeting in June. However, Panko is hoping to serve the Cook Fire Department a few more years to reach that 50 year milestone.
Panko said his father-in-law Vernon Ruenholl was retiring from the Cook Fire Department in the summer of 1986 and asked Cory if he'd like to join the fire department. The main offices that Panko has held with the Cook Fire Department are assistant fire chief and captain. Panko currently serves as captain. “I just do what the fire chief tells me and I make sure all the Cook firefighters are involved in what's happening during any fire scene in order to keep the fire under control.
In addition to being a Cook firefighter, Panko has also served on the Cook Rural Fire Board for about 35 years. According to Panko, the Cook Rural Fire District has been very accommodating in purchasing any equipment the Cook Fire Department needed or wanted through the years.
One of the Cook Fire Department fundraisers is the Cook BBQ Cook-off and Car Show held during the third weekend in July. Panko said the Cook Fire Department appreciates the community's monetary donations and sponsorships to assist with the fundraising efforts for new equipment.
Panko said the Cook Fire Department continues to seek funds for new bunker gear and bonded for funds two years ago, but because bunker gear is expensive today, the fire department only has about one third of the funds needed.
In regards to other equipment, Panko said that although the 1995 pumper is still in condition, it will have to be replaced with a new pumper within the next 10 years.
The Broken Spoke structure fire in 1989 was the biggest structure fire the Cook Fire Department had to extinguish. “We've never had anyone seriously hurt in a structure fire,” said Panko. He added that he also serves as a driver for the Cook Rescue Squad and helps load up the injured people. He recalled that most of the accidents the Cook Rescue Squad responds to happen late at night or early in the morning. There have been times when people had to be extricated from a vehicle as well as an accident resulting in the loss of a life.
“We've been fortunate that only 25 percent of our fires are structure fires, while the other 75 percent of the fires are grassland fires or machinery fires.
Panko attends one Cook Rural Fire District meeting, one Fire Department meeting and one training night every month. He indicated that Cook's training officer has a lot of experience as a firefighter and creates a variety of scenarios for the firefighters to experience, especially the young firefighters so they gain the necessary knowledge and training.
Panko also noted that at one time the Cook Fire Department used to participate in controlled structure burns for training. However, due to changes in regulations for removing asbestos from a structure plus all the inspections that must take place, these controlled burns are no longer used for training. “These controlled burns were great training experiences for our young firefighters who never had this type of training before. We would also invite firefighters from other area departments to provide training for their firefighters as well.”
Panko said the camaraderie with the Cook firefighters has been the most rewarding experience. “We have good people to work with,” he concluded.