New chief at the helm of Tahoe Douglas Fire Department

Retired Tahoe Douglas Fire Chief Ben Sharit can now rest assured that his former fire department is in good hands with the promotion of Scott Baker to Fire Chief. Baker took over the controls in July 1.

He came to the Tahoe Douglas Fire Department in December as Assistant Chief as a nation-wide search, but it turned out they didn't have to look far as Baker was Division Chief of Fleet and Facilities for the Reno Fire Department.

Baker's fire service career expands over 20 years from Firefighter, Operator, Captain and Battalion Chief. He has served as Incident Command on numerous large all-risk incidents including the Washoe Fire in 2012.

Chief Baker is originally from Illinois, and has served in the Nevada Air National Guard for over 27 years in various positions - Mission Commander, Detachment Commander, Flight Lead, Safety Investigation Board President, Flight Commander, and Senior Navigator. As an Officer in the USAF, his responsibilities included managing tactical aircrew personnel and equipment for flying, maintenance and intelligence squadrons. He has had the opportunity to travel the world and work in a variety of challenging situations before he retired as Chief Navigator and Lieutenant Colonel in 2013.

Chief Baker has a Bachelor of Science in Finance/Accounting from Southern Illinois University, has studied at UNR in their Finance Department and is currently working on his Master of Science degree in Public Safety and Law Enforcement from University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.

The new chief has three daughters and recently relocated to the Carson Valley from Reno.

Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District is an “All Risk” Department providing Fire Prevention, Fire Suppression, Advanced Life Support, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Forest Fuels Management, and Emergency Rescue. The dedicated professionals respond to approximately 2000 emergency calls annually. The Fire District currently holds an ISO rating 3/3Y.