Fire Chief Travis Cook recognized for advancing tactical medical support

Bonifay Fire-Rescue Chief Travis Cook has been recognized in Florida Fire Service Magazine for his leadership in advancing tactical medical programs that place paramedics alongside law enforcement during high-risk operations.

Chief Cook, who began his journey into tactical medicine years ago with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, has played a key role in developing programs that embed medics directly with SWAT teams. This initiative allows paramedics to provide immediate life-saving care during some of the most dangerous situations, including hostage rescues, active shooter responses, and other high-risk incidents.

“The primary purpose of the SWAT Medic is to enhance the mission of saving lives by providing immediate advanced life support for bystanders, hostages, deputies, and suspects,” said WCFR Division Chief of Logistics Travis Cook. “Attaching paramedics to the SWAT team eliminates the need for patients or victims to wait while a hostile situation is stabilized; instead, life-saving efforts can commence immediately, providing timely and critical service to the community and its citizens.”

Cook emphasized that his commitment to this field stems from an early recognition of the risks faced by SWAT personnel. “I have always thought of the SWAT team as a group of highly trained individuals who are called to the worst of the worst types of incidents. At some point, I asked myself, ‘Who is there for them when they need help? Who do they call?’” he said.

This forward-thinking approach, which has been adopted in multiple jurisdictions, is designed to save lives in real time and strengthen cooperation between fire-rescue and law enforcement agencies. For Bonifay Fire-Rescue, it also highlights the leadership and vision of a chief who has never lost sight of where his career began in Holmes County.

“It’s truly a privilege to serve multiple communities with the abilities God has given me. Every experience teaches me something valuable, and those lessons strengthen each team I’m a part of.” said Cook.