FRESNO, CA, January 16, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — E.R. Scott Baker has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Baker’s long and distinguished career as a fire investigator and a law enforcement officer spans more than 60 years. He has spent more than 40 years both fighting and investigating fires. He joined Peek Fire Investigations in 2019 as an explosives and fire investigator, and his daily responsibilities involve investigating fires reported by insurance companies. Mr. Baker operates independently from the insurance companies, examining fire scenes to determine the cause of the fire. His extensive training and certifications enable him to identify the origin of fires, including those involving lithium ion batteries. His expertise in this area often requires him to ascertain whether a battery fault or owner actions caused the fire.
Prior to his current role, Mr. Baker spent 35 years as a special investigator for the California Fire Marshal’s office. His efforts were instrumental in solving fire-related cases and assisting law enforcement agencies in apprehending suspects. In 1991, his contributions helped in rewriting the arson prosecution manual for the California District Attorneys Association. Additionally, Mr. Baker delivered training sessions globally and within the United States.
Mr. Baker is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. He joined the Air Force in 1963 as an air policeman and military dog handler and spent nine years serving his country, including one tour of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He then transitioned to civilian law enforcement, serving as a police officer with the Oroville Police Department in California from 1972 to 1977 and as a deputy sheriff with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department from 1977 to 1984. His indoctrination into firefighting came during this same period, when he joined the Covelo Fire Department in California, rising from firefighter to assistant fire chief.
In addition to his roles in law enforcement and firefighting, Mr. Baker has served as a combat engineer and demolitions expert with the United States Army Guard; a security police officer with the California Air National Guard; a special agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations; and an investigator with the United States Air Force Reserve.
Mr. Baker has earned degrees in law enforcement and fire science and is a certified Master Fire Investigator, a designation that underscores his expertise and commitment to his field. He also spent more than 30 years as an adjunct instructor at Fresno City College in Fresno, California.
Throughout his career, Mr. Baker has been an active member of several industry-related organizations, including the California Conference of Arson Investigators, the International Association of Arson Investigators, and Central Valley Fire Investigators.
Outside of work, Mr. Baker is passionate about photography and has amassed a collection of over 200 cameras, including some wooden models dating back to the 1800s. He also does volunteer work with Chrysalis House, an adoption agency based in Fresno. His personal life is centered around his family, including his two children, a son in college and a daughter in graduate school.
Driven by values instilled by his mother, Mr. Baker finds fulfillment in helping others and making a positive impact on their lives. As a teacher and mentor at the air base, he remains dedicated to contributing to others’ success while continuing his work in the fire investigation industry.
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