Cory’s stated bliss in his career was actually surprising to some who knew
him best. During his County Fire training tower, he had suffered a fall
that resulted in several fractured vertebrae, leading to surgery, hardware
in his spine and tremendous pain. It also required subsequent surgeries
when the physical requirements of the job would damage this hardware.
The injury rendered his life as one that is governed by pain management
and avoidance of re-aggravating his injured back. Through all of this
he kept a positive attitude, a persistent work ethic and a desire to be
successful in his career. Cory found a family in the fire service and gained
some of his closest friends here at County Fire.
SBCOFD SAYS FAREWELL TO
E N G I N E E R CO RY N O RTO N
Editor’s Note: The article below closes an emotional chapter in County Fire’s—and FIREWIRE’s—history, summarizing Engineer
Cory Norton’s ongoing battle with cancer up to the recent finalization of his medical retirement. However, if there is any good
that has come of this ordeal, it is that Cory’s journey, and County Fire/Local 935’s response to it, has created a roadmap by
which we have improved, standardized and sustained responses to difficulties our brothers and sisters face. Without the
efforts of this article’s author, Jeremy Pendergraft, as well as many others, some of the improvements and sustainable
infrastructure surrounding our support of loved ones may not have happened. Simply put, once Jeremy set the bar so high
for Cory’s support, we had to ask: how do we make this work for everyone, including those not fortunate enough to have such
dynamic and driven friends?
What has come to pass is a codification of our support, and a fund adopted from San Bernardino City Fire’s similar fund, named in
honor of their fallen brother, Tom Gould. These monies are able to be put to good use in many ways each time one of our own goes
through hard times.
Many thanks to Jeremy, Captain Darrell Feuerhahn, and to all who have helped Cory make his way to retirement.
We hope reading about this journey in these pages over the past few years has been positive for each of you.
By Jeremy Pendergraft
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FIREWIRE • Summer 2018
His medical history is why Cory did
not think that much of some back pain
radiating down his leg in the later
months of 2015. When the surgeons told
him he had some scar tissue that was
impinging on his nerves and needed to
be removed, Cory felt it was business
as usual. Even when he was told that he
had a large hematoma right where his
hardware was located, Cory thought it
was no big deal. After the procedure he
remarked that he had never felt better.
His pain was reduced and he was able to
spend Christmas with his wife and kids
during his recovery.
Unfortunately, it was not a hematoma surrounding Cory’s lumbar spine;
rather, it was a Stage 4 tumor—malignant, large and metastasized to other
parts of his body. His life, and that of his family’s, would be forever altered.
Cory underwent a critical surgery that removed the original tumor, which
also required the removal of several affected vertebrae. He also went
through countless radiation treatments and multiple rounds of intense
chemotherapy. Cory suffered through many ups and downs, infections,
follow-up surgeries and treatments. He was placed on a long-term home
chemotherapeutic-type medication that, up to this point, is keeping the
remaining cancerous tumors from progressing.
Well over two years ago, the San Bernardino County Fire
family heard the news that one of our own was diagnosed
with a rare, incurable cancer. Called Epitheliod Sarcoma, it
was a type of cancer that, without newly-retired engineer
Cory Norton’s experience, we may have never know existed.
It was not the type we are used to hearing about in the
fire service, nor is research against it championed by
corporations, sports teams or other foundations. But, on
that day in January of 2016 we all felt the impact of how
life-altering it could be. Through all of this, the “Fight On Cory Norton” movement was born.
Immediately after Cory’s diagnosis many members of County Fire and
Local 935 banded together to form a coalition of support. The movement
reached out and garnered support from many other fire departments and
labor groups. Money was raised, hospital visits were made, meals were
cooked or ordered and countless other acts of service were selflessly
done. As the initial rush of things settled down, the movement transitioned
into a constant support model focused on helping Cory through the long-
term changes that would eventually have to happen with the cancer and
its treatment regimen’s effects on the body.
Cory Norton loved the fire service. A second generation firefighter, he
followed the footsteps of his father, retired County Fire Battalion Chief
Chris Norton. His brother Kyle, a former SBCoFD limited-term employee and
current Anaheim firefighter, was also bitten by the fire service bug. Cory was
happy and by his own description was “living the dream,” eventually putting
in 10 years of service to the County Fire organization. He had aspirations to
eventually promote to battalion chief like his dad. Cory initially felt that he wanted to get back on the big red fire engine
and work with his family again. But as events unfolded, he realized that
returning to firefighting may not be the best decision regarding his
ultimate priority: taking care of his wife and kids. Cory felt that certain
experiences he had in the fire service had, quite frankly, put him in the
position he now faces daily. He also had to realistically reevaluate his
ability to perform some of the intense physical requirements of the job.
He would not put his crew in danger.
Ultimately Cory made the selfless decision to focus on his family and start
the process to pursue other ways to secure a future for his wife and kids,
even at the young age of 31 years old. The “Fight On Cory Norton” movement
stood behind this difficult decision, assisting Cory with new education in
a field without the intense physical ability requirements, and enlisting the
professional assistance of members of his work family familiar with the
medical retirement process. Cory went through necessary steps needed and
was this summer finally granted a medical retirement from San Bernardino
County Fire.
What would seem to be a subdued time for Cory
was actually a celebrated moment of relief. Cory
was overjoyed to know that he would have some
stable income to take care of his family. It was
not the bookend for his career that he had set in
his mind early on, but it was one for which he was
now surely thankful. He has never lost sight of the
fact that the fire service family stood behind him
through this journey. He knows that his experience,
although tragic, was made more endurable through
the actions of his family, fire family, and countless
others that contributed to the cause.
Cory thanks FIREWIRE for staying with his story.
For this final update he would have just had me
list every single person who contributed in any
way possible to helping him through this, but there wouldn’t be enough room.
However, Cory did want me to express how humbled he is for the outpouring
of unwavering support from some who may not even have met him; he will be
forever thankful.
In retirement, Cory will continue to call attention to fire service cancer. He
hopes to have at least left a series of changes in his wake that will ensure that
others that face circumstances similar to his will have a game plan in place
to make the road a little easier. Cory wholeheartedly believes that his cancer
was a direct result of exposures linked to a fire service career, and hopes
that everyone will take one extra second in their day to consider protective
measures as they go through their seemingly mundane work activities.
Control the circumstances you can control. He wishes everyone the best. He
loved the fire service and wants everyone else to live his dream of a career
and not take it for granted.
Cory, we here at County Fire are not saying goodbye to you, but farewell.
We love you, Tawni, Cole, and Tenley. You have left a mark on San Bernardino
County Fire that cannot be removed. Once a firefighter always a firefighter!
Stop by anytime for a cup of coffee and some conversation. God Bless you and
as always... Fight On Cory, Fight On!!!
*All information released with the permission of Cory Norton and his family.
Engineer Jeremy Pendergraft is currently assigned to Station 22 in Spring
Valley Lake. He is a Division 6 labor rep, and serves both as a member of the
Local 935 Constitution & Bylaws Committee as well as co-chair of the EMS
Equipment Committee. He lives in Spring Valley Lake.
Summer 2018 • FIREWIRE
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