EVANSTON — This week marks 20 years that have passed since one of Evanston’s notable tragedies.

“I had just left school and went to my afterschool job when my mother called,” said Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Chief Matt Cook, of how he found out about the house fire that took the lives of two Evanston Fire Department volunteer firefighters — his older brother, 23-year-old Jacob Cook and Robert Henderson, 39.

Matt, and his identical twin brother, James, were seniors at Evanston High School on April 18, 2005, when Jacob Cook and Henderson rushed into a burning townhouse upon hearing from bystanders that children were potentially trapped inside. Tragically, an explosion inside the home killed the firefighters who were unaware that the residence had already been evacuated.

Jacob was a newlywed and Henderson was married and the father of three young children.

“It basically upended our lives. It was just chaos,” Matt said of the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.

In the weeks and months that followed, Cook stayed in touch with several members of the EFD.

“I took an entire year to think about it, and I joined as a volunteer in 2006,” Matt said.  “I wanted to honor his memory.”

Although parents, Marlin and Cindy Cook, were initially upset and hesitant at his decision, “they understood and they said they’d support me,” Matt said.

James, too, would join the EFD the following year. Since 2007, the brothers have both achieved the rank of captain as volunteers with the department. James is currently employed with Uinta County Road and Bridge as a mechanic.

After several years as a machinist with former outfit Spidle Sales, more recently Alliance Drilling Tools, Matt was hired as the EFD’s full-time mechanic in 2023. This past February, however, Matt was selected as and promoted to Uinta County’s second-ever EMS Chief, succeeding Don Bodine, who retired after decades of fire and emergency service.

Matt, who became a certified emergency medical technician (EMT) shortly after joining the EFD, now oversees 68 emergency services volunteers throughout the county.

“You’re never really off shift,” he told the Herald. “It’s definitely a lifestyle.”

He also has long-term plans with his new position, hoping to implement a more modernized and efficient system. He said he wants to upgrade the services EMS already provides.

Another significant, long-term goal is to eventually offer local paramedic educational and employment opportunities.

“That’s more or less the standard in the country,” he said, explaining that paramedics are the top-tier-level trained medical emergency professionals. 

“It takes a lot of education, and a program has not been offered here,” Matt said, adding that intermediate EMTs and volunteer nurses are currently the county’s highest-trained responders.

On his way to work each morning, Matt, whose office is located at Evanston Fire Station #1, walks past the bell memorial built to commemorate the loss of his brother, Henderson and Lt. Darrell Staley, who died on duty in 1988.

“This year definitely hits harder,” he said of the 20th anniversary of his brother’s death. “I think about him when I pass it, and it’s a large reason why I do this.”

The Evanston Fire Department will observe the anniversary at the bell memorial at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 18. There will be a wreath-laying and bell-ringing ceremony with the department’s honor guard. A cookout with hot dogs and hamburgers will follow. The public is welcome to attend.