Cory David Iverson began his fire service career in 2008 as a volunteer firefighter with the Elfin Forest-Harmony Grove Fire Department in San Diego County. In 2009, Cory accepted an offer for a Firefighter I position with the Riverside Unit of CAL FIRE. During that time, his most treasured assignment was as a firefighter assigned to Helicopter 301 out of the Hemet-Ryan Air Attack Base. In 2012, he spent one season as a federal firefighter with the Bear Divide Hotshot Crew before returning to the airbase in 2013.
This was also the year that he met the love of his life, Ashley. They were married in 2014, and he began his most important role as husband and daddy. In 2015, Cory and Ashley became the proud parents to their firstborn daughter, Evie Rose. Two months later, Cory accepted a promotion to fire apparatus engineer and spent one year in the Tuolumne-Calaveras CAL FIRE Unit before accepting a permanent FAE position in the Monte Vista Unit assigned to Dulzura Station 30.
In 2017, Cory was elated to learn he would be a daddy again to another little girl, who he unfortunately was never able to meet. On December 14, 2017, while battling the Thomas Fire in Ventura County, Cory was overrun by fast moving flames and perished.
Cory was known for his dedication, incredible worth ethic, and passion for the job. He was highly respected by all his coworkers, and he helped mentor and inspire all who crossed his path. Cory’s wife, Ashley, with their two girls by her side, has created the Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness (IFAA) in his memory to help continue his impact on the world.
My heart felt condolences to the friends and family of this dedicated firefighter ,
– baron brookheimmay god bless his soul and his family.
As someone with a debilitating phobia of wild fires and living in Ventura County, I will never be able to express my gratitude to heroes like Cory. I hope his family finds some sort of comfort knowing because of his heroism, one person will be always be silently thanking him and remembering him every December
– MillieMy condolences to the family. I would also love to share that the teens from Fillmore CA honored Cory Iverson’s bravery by adding his name onto the mural they painted.
– JazminWe continue to be so sorry for your families loss of such a beautifully dedicated man. My son was going through the fire academy in Oxnard at that time and together we mourned the loss of firefighter Iverson …along with the rest of California. My most sincere condolences ,
– Cory EversonI just drove by the memorial sign and looked up this hero. And smiled. Hugs to his family.
– Verona