By Times Chronicle Staff
The Osoyoos Fire Rescue (OFR) has announced that Everett Cooke has been appointed to the role of Fire Chief.
The position had been vacant since former chief Corey Kortmeyer left in early August 2024, with the two Deputy Chiefs, Rob Huttema, Deputy Fire Chief of Fire Prevention and Ryan McCaskill Deputy Fire Chief of Training and Operations, taking on the Chief’s duties.
Cooke has served as fire chief and directed emergency and protective services in northern Alberta for over 25 years and has successfully led teams of both full-time and volunteer firefighters, the OFR said in a social media post earlier today.
Among other qualifications, Cooke has a certificate in Emergency Management from the Justice Institute of BC, Certificates in Municipal Management and Leadership from the University of Alberta.
Cooke also has family in the Osoyoos area and has been a frequent visitor to the town. In his spare time, he enjoys umpiring baseball and spending time with his wife and children. “Everett is excited to join our team and lead our paid-on-call Fire Department,” the OFR said.
“We welcome Chief Cooke to the area and look forward to his leadership to continue providing exceptional service to our community.”
It was not specified when Cooke will assume his duties in Osoyoos.
