S2 - Episode 2: PIO Lt. Jonathan Baxter, San Francisco Fire Department

In this episode, we speak to Lt. Baxter of SFFD  we talk about his role as the only PIO,  the impact of community outreach, and public-Ed?   A  campaigns effort to raise awareness about water fatalities around the coastline.  A discussion over how agencies can connect with community-based groups.

Bio of Jonathan Baxter: started his career in Public Safety at the age of 14 working as an explorer scout with the City of Paso  Robles Police Department. I attended EMT school at the age of 17, obtaining my EMT certificate just past my 18th birthday in 1989.  He was hired with the San Luis County Ambulance service part-time as well as the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department.  

At 18, he was asked to participate in a trial paramedic program put on by the Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula, in the Carmel Valley,  obtaining his Paramedic license at the age of 19,  becoming the youngest paramedic in the State of California.

From late 1990 to 1998 I was employed full time as a Firefighter Paramedic with the City of Sonoma Fire  Department. During this time, I earned my A.S degree in Fire Science, multiple fire science certificates, and an A.A degree in Criminal Justice.  

Let it be known that also from 1990 to 2000, in addition to my full-time career, I also worked part-time as a Paramedic for AMR SF, Guerneville Fire, Bodega Bay Fire, Sonoma County EMS, and Occidental Fire.  

Additionally, I also worked part-time as a Firefighter/EMT and Fire Investigator for the Glen Ellen Fire  Protection District from 1991-2010.  

From 1998 to 2000, I worked full-time for the City of Hayward Fire Department as a Firefighter  Paramedic.  

In January of 2000, I started my career with the San Francisco Fire Department. From 2000 to 2006 I  worked around the City as a Firefighter Paramedic, and Rescue Swimmer. From 2006 to 2016, I  volunteered to be assigned to Engine 1, which was at the time the busiest fire engine in America, per 

FireHouse Magazine. With over 500 public contacts per month, personal pride and integrity drove my fellow crewmembers and me to provide equal, and above standard service to every customer (citizen). 

From 2008 to 2016, I worked as a temporary lieutenant on fire suppression apparatus (Mostly Engine 1).  On January the 18th of 2016, I was hand-selected by Chief Joanne Hayes-White to become the SFFD’s  Public Information Officer. While in that role, I was promoted to lieutenant in May of 2016 based on my rankings on a civil service test.  

I remain employed as one of the highest decorated employees (47 Valor and Honors) with the City of  San Francisco.  

In 2006, I left the City of Pleasanton part-time employment and started a career with the City of Menlo  Park Police Department (part-time). I have achieved Advanced Officer, Designated Rifle Officer, Critical  Incident Officer, Bike Officer, K9 Officer, Drug Recognition Officer, and DUI officer certificates.  

In 2014 I obtained a B.S degree in Criminal Justice, along with multiple Certificates in Homeland Security and public safety-related topics.  

In 2017 I was hired part-time as an adjunct faculty instructor for Fire Science and Administration of  Justice at City College of San Francisco and teach for the Mission High School Fire and MES program,  among other topics.  

I remain employed with CCSF College in a part-time capacity. 

Jonathans email - jonathan.baxter@sfgov.org