SEMINOLE COUNTY – Seminole County Fire Department’s (SCFD) Battalion Chief Chris Baker was recently honored by the Orlando Business Journal as one of its “Outstanding Diversity Champions” during its 2023 Diversity in Business Awards.
The Diversity in Business Awards honors a number of individuals and Central Florida organizations operating in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake Brevard and Volusia counties in a variety of industries that have demonstrated excellence in all areas of equality, including age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race and religion.
Battalion Chief Chris Baker is a DeBary resident and a Philadelphia native with more than 20 years of experience at the Seminole County Fire Department. He has also served as Chair of Seminole County Government’s Diversity Counsel. Baker was honored for leading SCFD’s recruitment team to help focus more on diversity and outreach. He also spearheaded Seminole County Government’s Juneteenth recognitions last year where SCFD’s Command staff and Seminole County Government’s leadership were in attendance for a special luncheon. In addition, he leads community service efforts with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida and Embrace Families, among other local nonprofits.
“Seminole County Government and the Seminole County Fire Department welcomes and celebrates diversity,” said Seminole County Fire Chief Matt Kinley. “In addition to Chief Baker’s outstanding community service, he is committed to helping the Seminole County Fire Department personnel reflect the diverse community we proudly serve. His commitment to expanding diversity outreach, training and programming is extremely valued.”
Baker was also awarded SCFD’s “Community Service Award” in 2021 and Lieutenant of the Year Award in 2017. He also led a smoke alarm installation outreach to an underserved and historically Black neighborhood in Altamonte, which because of his partnership efforts with Red Cross resulted in a life saved and was honored by the nonprofit.
Baker credits his brother Lieutenant Shane Rogers and other mentors with encouraging him to become a firefighter and helping him make positive choices and pursue a fire career.
He graduated from Daytona State’s Emergency Services program, attended paramedic school at Seminole State and is also a DeLand High School graduate.
More information on the 2023 Diversity in Business Awards can be found at the Orlando Business Journal’s webpage.
