Monroeville native steps into new role as Pennsylvania fire commissioner

The state’s new fire commissioner is stepping into his role just in time for fireworks season.

The state Senate unanimously confirmed Monroeville native Thomas Cook last week to lead the development and operation of Pennsylvania’s emergency service training program and support the state’s 2,400 fire departments and personnel.

Cook, a third generation firefighter and Red Cross Hero Medal recipient, spoke with the Tribune-Review about coming up through the firefighting ranks in western Pennsylvania and his goals as commissioner.

This interview has been edited for length.

Q: What initially got you interested in becoming a firefighter?

A: My father was a volunteer firefighter, and I grew up in and around the fire station. When I was old enough, my friends and I all joined the volunteer fire company together. More recently, my two sons have chosen to continue that legacy. It is the family business.

Q: How did serving as a Monroeville firefighter help prepare you for later duty with Mt. Lebanon as well as the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire?

A: Throughout my long career in the fire service, I have been blessed by having an opportunity to learn and hone my skills alongside some of the best firefighters there are. I joined just after the “war years” of the 1970s. These men were tough, experienced responders. A new firefighter could not have a better group to mentor them.

As I moved up the ranks from firefighter to lieutenant, to captain and finally to deputy chief, I always had a senior member to mentor me and give me advice. Sometimes that advice took the form of pointing out stupid mistakes. Ultimately, it made me think about the “why” behind the “what.”

Throughout all of this, my dad was in the background, quietly nudging me in the appropriate direction. My father made the effort to always be available to me when I needed his guidance.

Q: What is the current state of firefighter personnel in Pennsylvania, and what would you like to do as commissioner to try and boost participation particularly for the state’s all-volunteer departments?

A: Broadly speaking, the (state) fire service is hurting for adequate staffing. While many departments are struggling, there are pockets across the commonwealth that are having success in recruiting and retaining firefighters. One of the major goals of our recruitment and retention program is to identify the secrets to their success and figure out how to replicate that formula in the areas of the state that are having problems attracting talent.

Firefighting is a rewarding profession and plays such a crucial role in public safety across the commonwealth.

Q: What do you see as the most important part of the state fire commissioner’s job and why?

A: I am appointed by the governor to support the fire companies operating within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Whether volunteer, career, or hybrid, I am an advocate for the needs of the fire service and the important work they do to keep people safe.

I also have administrative responsibilities over a variety of duties that have been assigned to our office. For instance, we manage grants and loans to support the financial needs of the fire services, such as the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program. The newly formed Recruitment and Retention Program is tasked with providing data and resources to support the gap in staffing for most fire companies in Pennsylvania. And we are planning on planning a larger role in community risk reduction in the future.

Q: You previously served as administrator for the state’s fire academy — what is the most important thing that new firefighters learn during the course of their training?

A: Firefighters must continue to learn and hone their skills every day. Most importantly, how to stay safe and survive in an environment that will not hesitate to hurt or kill you. We want responders to be proactive about their health. Additionally, as technology changes, the knowledge and skills a firefighter must master evolves.