Don Cole
Don Cole is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served as a Pararescueman (PJ) for eight years on active duty, followed by three years in the Air Force Reserve. During his military career, he was assigned to the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia, the 320th Special Tactics Squadron at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, and the 304th Rescue Squadron in Portland, Oregon. His service included multiple deployments to Kuwait in support of combat search and rescue operations, rescue support missions for NASA’s manned Space Shuttle program, and deployments to the Philippines for combat search and rescue and Quick Reaction Force (QRF) operations.
After separating from the Air Force, Don joined East Pierce Fire & Rescue in 2005, where he has served as a firefighter-paramedic for more than two decades. Throughout his career, he has been an active member of the department’s Water Rescue Team, serving as a search-and-rescue diver, swift-water rescue technician, and boat operator. His dedication to emergency response and public safety reflects a lifelong commitment to serving others in challenging and high-risk environments.
Don has been married to his wife, Christie, since 2004. Together, they have raised three children—Hannah, Savannah, and Dylan. The Cole family resides in Washington State, where Don continues to serve his community through both his profession and his commitment to public service.