JEREMIE BAKER

Experienced Deputy Chief with 24 years of progressive fire-service leadership across volunteer, combination, and career fire departments. Currently oversee the Training, Health and Wellness, and Logistics Divisions within a 527-employee department with a $93 million annual budget. Proven record of organizational transformation, financial management, grant development, workforce development, leadership training, labor relations, and collaboration with elected officials, city administration, labor organizations, and community partners.

• Department Leadership: Oversee four divisions within a 527-employee fire department; directly supervise 10–50 personnel depending on active programs and operational requirements.
• Financial Management: Direct a $1.3 million annual Training Division budget and write and manage $4.3 million in federal and state grant-funded initiatives, including multiple AFG awards from 2020–2026 and a $1.25 million federal earmark.
• Recruitment and Workforce Development: Led the redesign of recruit academies and successfully graduated approximately 250 new firefighters.
• Apprenticeship Program: Directed the Saint Paul Fire Department and IAFF Local 21 Joint Apprentice Training Program for seven years; rebuilt the program into a model for a nationwide IAFF effort to expand firefighter apprenticeship opportunities.
• Leadership Development: Established officer academies in 2025; delivered six classes with approximately 100 total graduates.
• Health and Wellness: Established the Health and Wellness Division in 2021, incorporating a Peer Fitness Team, Peer Support Team, and Cancer Task Force; the division includes two full-time personnel and 65 team members.
• Training Excellence: Led the Training Division's contribution to Saint Paul Fire Department's Class 1 ISO rating and was directly involved in the process leading to the rating. The division was recognized for delivering training to a large department with responsibilities extending beyond fire suppression.