Bob Cook, Burnaby's top firefighter, retired with a walk-out ceremony at the main Burnaby Fire Hall on Thursday.
The ceremony, which was attended by almost 100 firefighters and local dignitaries, saw Cook finish his tour of duty in Burnaby with a ceremonial last call and ride on a Burnaby fire truck.
"I'm so proud to have been able to spend my entire time here in Burnaby," said Cook. "I was born in Burnaby, I grew up in Burnaby and I was able to serve in Burnaby. ... I've been very lucky to work with some very good people."
Cook passed the reins to his second-in-command, Shaun Redmond, who was officially announced as the new Burnaby fire chief, effective July 1.
"If there's any way to explain how important Bob has been to this department, it's to say that if this was a house, he was the foundation," said Redmond. "I've been lucky to work with Bob for 32 years. I grew up and grew old with him. I'll miss his advice and calm demeanour."
Cook has been Burnaby fire chief since Sept. 1, 2007 and has spent his entire 36-year firefighting career in Burnaby.
Cook started with the Burnaby Fire Department on June 9, 1975, in a class with eight other recruits. He spent most of his early years at the No. 5 Firehall in North Burnaby before being assigned to the main No. 1 Firehall. Cook steadily rose through the ranks, earning the ranks of lieutenant, staff officer and deputy fire chief before taking the top job four years ago.
Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan said he'll miss Cook's steady leadership style.
"I think one of Bob's legacies is the No. 7 Firehall (at the Gilmore Diversion)," said Corrigan. "Bob put a lot of planning into that firehall."
Corrigan said he expects a seamless transition to a new chief.
"With the fire department, they have had a very thorough succession plan in place," said Corrigan. "I'll miss Bob, but Shaun is ready to take over and I don't think much will change."
Corrigan declared June 30 as Bob Cook Day in Burnaby and nobody was more proud than Cook's mother Marge.
"I'm very proud of him," she said. "I have a great family and I think he'll have more time to spend with his grandson Ryan."
Ryan was all too happy to spend time with grandpa, especially when the two took the wheel of a Burnaby fire engine.
"I'm looking forward to spending more time with him," said Cook, "And I think my wife Arlene has a list of things she wants me to do."
