The Baker Podcast

Christopher Baker
  • 3.8 (4)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Host Christopher Baker leads thoughtful discussions on topics including firefighter mentorship, recruitment and retention, SAFER Grants, entry-level fire academy training programs, Regional Occupational Programs (ROP), high school pre-service pathways, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance in the fire service. The Baker Podcast emphasizes the importance of intentional planning for success in mind, body, and spirit—while challenging listeners to make the fire service better than you found it.

  1. 17: State Fire and Rescue Chief Kim Zagaris

    6D AGO

    17: State Fire and Rescue Chief Kim Zagaris

    Join Host Christopher Baker and guest, State Fire and Rescue Chief (Retired) Kim Zagaris, for an in-depth conversation about the fire service—from starting a career on the front lines to leading at the statewide level as California's OES State Fire and Rescue Chief. In this episode, they discuss the importance of mentorship, the growing challenges of recruitment and retention across California and across the nation, and why the fire service remains one of the most meaningful and purpose-driven careers someone can pursue. Biography: Kim Zagaris—often known as "Chief Z"—is a veteran fire service leader and emergency management expert with more than four decades of experience. He currently serves as the Wildfire Policy and Technology Advisor for the Western Fire Chiefs Association, a role created in response to the growing severity and frequency of wildfires across the western United States. Chief Zagaris spent 18 years as the State Fire and Rescue Chief for the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, where he oversaw statewide fire and rescue operations. Across a 48-year career, he worked with local, state, federal, and international agencies, playing a key role in nearly every major emergency in California during his tenure, as well as several national incidents. He served under six governors, reflecting both continuity and trust in his leadership. A central part of his work involved coordinating large-scale systems and programs. As Executive Coordinator for the Cal OES Fire and Rescue Services Advisory Committee and the FIRESCOPE Board of Directors, he helped guide statewide policy on mutual aid, the Incident Command System, training standards, safety, and resource coordination. He also managed major initiatives, including the California Incident Command Certification System and the California Fire Assistance Agreement. During his tenure, Chief Zagaris significantly expanded California's fire apparatus fleet—from 106 to 300 units—and helped manage a vast mutual aid system involving more than 1,100 fire agencies and roughly 55,000 firefighters operating around 6,000 engines statewide. His contributions have been widely recognized. In 2007, the California Fire Chiefs Association named him Fire Chief of the Year. In 2010, James Lee Witt awarded him the American Hero Award for his work in strengthening national disaster preparedness. That same year, the International Association of Fire Chiefs honored him with the President's Recognition Award, citing his leadership in large-scale incident response. In 2016, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the California State Firefighters' Association for exceptional contributions to the fire service. Known for his direct leadership style and deep operational experience, Chief Zagaris is widely regarded as a national authority on incident command and emergency response coordination. Show Notes: https://www.thebakerpodcast.com/blog/17-state-fire-and-rescue-chief-kim-zagaris

    38 min
  2. 16: Jeremy Wade

    APR 6

    16: Jeremy Wade

    Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Jeremy Wade, a retired Seattle police officer, for a powerful conversation on faith, family, and the calling of public safety service. Jeremy, the founder and Executive Director of Mission First Alliance, shares his heart for a national movement that brings the hope of Christ to first responders. Mission First Alliance is dedicated to bridging the gap between the Church and the courageous men and women serving on the front lines.  In this episode, we dive into what it truly means to find our identity—not in a uniform or badge—but in Christ. Biography: Jeremy served for the Seattle Police Department for 13 years, but struggled with his identity in Christ vs his identity in the badge early in his career. After a few years on the department he fully surrendered his life to the Lord, which started an amazing journey that the Lord has been blessing along the way. While not free from challenges like the Seattle riots, and many critical incidents, Jeremy could see God's hand in directing his paths. On the Seattle PD, Jeremy was awarded Officer of the Year, and Medal of Valor. He worked in patrol, in the training unit, as a peer support coordinator, and assisted in developing the department's first wellness unit. He co-founded the SPD Beds for Kids Program with Ryan Gallagher, which continues on today. Jeremy also served as the executive director of the Seattle Police Chaplains Association and came alongside many other local and national first responder ministries. In 2021, Jeremy, his wife Ketryna, and four kids felt God calling them to move to Tennessee and step out in faith to do full-time ministry, supporting first responders nationwide. This led to serving as the Training & Development Coordinator for the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers- USA until God started directing his path and opening doors to start Mission First Alliance. Show Notes: https://www.thebakerpodcast.com/blog/16-jeremy-wade

    44 min
  3. 15: Jill Sheperd Piercy Clark

    MAR 18

    15: Jill Sheperd Piercy Clark

    In this powerful episode, Host Christopher Baker connects with Jill Shepherd Piercy Clark, LMFT, founder, and CEO of The Resiliency Co., for a deeply meaningful conversation about healing from stress, trauma, and burnout—especially among first responders and public safety professionals. Drawing from her extensive experience as a therapist, Jill shares insight into the hidden weight many carry, the importance of addressing unresolved trauma, and what true, whole-person healing looks like across the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. She also breaks down the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 resiliency retreats, clears up common misconceptions about what these programs are (and are not), and highlights the powerful, personalized therapeutic modalities her team uses to create lasting change. This episode is both eye-opening and practical, offering listeners a compassionate reminder that they don't have to carry everything alone—and that real healing is possible. Biography: Jill Clark is the founder and CEO of The Resiliency Co., where she helps first responders, families, and individuals heal from stress, trauma, and burnout through a compassionate, whole-person approach. She is an experienced therapist who is deeply committed to creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and respected in the context of their unique backgrounds, experiences, and stories. Her work is rooted in the belief that true healing happens when we care for the mind, body, and spirit together. With a background in counseling, neurofeedback, and immersive wellness programming, Jill has dedicated her life to serving those who carry heavy burdens, especially first responders, who often spend their lives caring for others while silently carrying so much themselves. Through retreats and therapeutic services, she helps people move from survival mode into a place of strength, healing, and lasting resilience. Jill also recently released her new book, Mind Your Own Lane, which reflects her heart for personal growth, healing, and living with clarity and purpose. You can find it here: Mind Your Own Lane on Amazon Jill brings a voice that is warm, grounded, and genuine, blending clinical insight with real compassion and practical encouragement. Her mission is to remind people that healing is possible, resilience can be rebuilt, and no one has to walk through hard things alone. Show Notes: https://www.thebakerpodcast.com/blog/15-jill-shepherd-piercy-clark

    33 min
  4. 14: Fire Chief Dennis Compton

    MAR 9

    14: Fire Chief Dennis Compton

    Join Host Christopher Baker and his guest, Fire Chief (Retired) Dennis Compton, as they explore vital leadership lessons, the importance of firefighter mentorship, and the role of succession planning in the fire service. In this episode, they discuss the significance of paying it forward to the next generation and how to make the fire service better than you found it. Tune in for a conversation packed with wisdom for both current and future leaders in the fire service! Biography:   With 54 years in the fire service, Dennis Compton was the Fire Chief in Mesa (Arizona) for 6 years and Assistant Fire Chief in Phoenix (Arizona) where he served for 28 years. Chief Compton is Past Chair of the Board of the International Fire Service Training Association – and served as Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Institute National Advisory Council. He served as the Chair of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Board of Directors and the Secretary of the International Public Safety Data Institute Board of Directors. In 2011, Dennis was inducted into the National Fire Heritage Center Hall of Legends, Legacies, and Leaders; and in 2018, he was inducted into the Firehouse Legends and Icons National Hall of Fame. In July 2026, Chief Compton will be formally recognized as an International Journal of Fire Service Leadership and Management (IJFSLM) Legend in Leadership. Dennis is also a charter inductee into the Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame. Show Notes: https://www.thebakerpodcast.com/blog/14-fire-chief-dennis-compton

    54 min
  5. 13: Fire Captain Forrest Martin

    MAR 2

    13: Fire Captain Forrest Martin

    Join Host Christopher Baker and Fire Captain Forrest Martin for a powerful and inspiring discussion on the Wim Hof Method and the transformational impact of the Wim Hof Breath Protocol. Forrest shares his journey as a disabled veteran and how military service shaped his discipline, mental toughness, and unwavering commitment to service. After sustaining service-connected disabilities, he faced both physical and psychological challenges while transitioning into civilian life. Rather than allowing those challenges to define him, he chose to rebuild — mentally, physically, and emotionally. When Forrest was introduced to the Wim Hof Breath Protocol, he describes the experience as transformational — not because of the cold itself, but because of what it revealed about the mind's perceived limits versus actual capability. Through controlled breathwork and intentional cold exposure, he discovered a powerful tool for regulating stress, sharpening focus, and strengthening resilience. Blending his background in the military and fire service with breathwork instruction, Forrest now helps others build resilience from the inside out. As a Fire Captain and certified instructor, he teaches that mastering your breath is the first step toward mastering your response to adversity. This episode delivers a compelling conversation about service, leadership, perseverance, and the extraordinary power of the human mind to move beyond perceived limits. Biography: Forrest Martin is a Level 1 Wim Hof Method Instructor with a mission-driven focus on bringing the three pillars of the Wim Hof Method—breathwork, cold exposure, and mindset—to the first responder community. A disabled veteran and current first responder, Forrest recognized early in his career that many traditional approaches to resiliency were reactive in nature and often disconnected from the natural systems of the body. He believed there was a missing element—one that was proactive, accessible, and rooted in our own physiology rather than dependent on therapy rooms or specialized tools. That missing piece revealed itself in the spring of 2019, when a colleague introduced Forrest to Wim Hof's breathwork protocol. The impact was immediate. For the first time, Forrest experienced a profound sense of balance and relief—drawn not from avoidance or suppression, but from engaging the power of nature and the body's innate resilience. True to his nature, Forrest went all in. In early 2020, he traveled to Poland to participate in the Wim Hof Winter Expedition, where he trained directly under Wim Hof himself. That experience became a turning point, solidifying Forrest's commitment to bringing these practices to those who regularly face trauma, stress, and high-stakes decision-making. Over the following years, Forrest refined and adapted the Wim Hof Method specifically for first responders, ultimately earning his official Wim Hof Instructor certification in December 2024. Since then, he has partnered with the First Responder Resiliency Institute and has guided thousands of participants in reconnecting with their natural capacity for health, strength, and happiness—through the simple, powerful tools of breath and mindset. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not reflect the official policy or position of the State of California or the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). Show Notes: https://www.thebakerpodcast.com/blog/13-fire-captain-forrest-martin

    51 min
  6. 12: Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell

    FEB 17

    12: Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell

    Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, former U.S. Fire Administrator, for an in-depth discussion on the future of the fire service. This episode will explore how the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is modernizing fire data and strengthening decision-making nationwide, and the importance of unified messaging through Fire Service One Voice. Dr. Moore-Merrell will also share insights on expanding global collaboration with international fire service partners, enhancing community engagement to improve public safety outcomes, and addressing challenges in firefighter mentorship, recruitment, and retention nationwide. The conversation will further examine how fire service professionals can maintain a healthy work-life balance while meeting the increasing demands of the profession. Don't miss this important discussion focused on innovation, leadership, and the continued advancement of public safety.  Biography: Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, a prominent figure in the realm of fire safety and emergency response, served as the U.S. Fire Administrator, a role she filled with distinction from October 2021 to January 2025. Under her leadership, the U.S. Fire Administration saw the implementation of groundbreaking initiatives, such as the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), which will revolutionized national emergency response analytics by replacing a legacy data system that had been in place for nearly five decades. Dr. Moore-Merrell's foresight and ability to secure federal government funding have been instrumental in ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality outcomes for this project. As U.S. Fire Administrator, she co-chaired the Commission on Wildfire Mitigation and Management, established by the bi-partisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act, leading to 148 wildfire related recommendations being delivered to Congress in 2023. Her tenure is further marked by her role as the visionary creator and chair of the Inaugural World Fire Congress, held in May 2024. This monumental event, orchestrated under the auspices of DHS/FEMA and the U.S. Department of State, brought together top fire officials from across the globe to foster international dialogue and collaboration on fire safety issues. Show Notes: https://www.thebakerpodcast.com/blog/12-dr-lori-moore-merrell

    56 min
  7. 11: CPF President Brian K. Rice

    JAN 29

    11: CPF President Brian K. Rice

    Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Brian K. Rice, President of the California Professional Firefighters (CPF), for an important conversation on firefighter behavioral health and wellness. Topics will include the value of firefighter mentorship and resources to support the next generation of firefighters. The discussion will also explore strategies for managing work-related stress and trauma throughout a career in public safety, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and insights from Brian’s own career in the fire service. Biography:   Brian K. Rice has been involved with the California fire service and the firefighter labor movement for more than three decades. He spent over 30 years with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department, rising to the position of Deputy Chief of Operations. He was also twice elected president of Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522, serving a total of 12 years in the position. In 2018, Brian was elected president of California Professional Firefighters, representing over 38,000 front-line firefighters and paramedics across the state. As CPF President, Brian is a statewide leader in advocating for firefighters’ wages, hours, and working conditions. He has championed efforts on firefighter cancer research and prevention and expanding behavioral health resources for active and retired firefighters. Additionally he serves as co-chair of the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee — which sets professional standards and improves education and training for fire service throughout the state — as well as chair of the non-profit California Fire Foundation, which provides support for families of fallen firefighters, delivers disaster relief for California communities, and awards grants to help strengthen community safety. Contact Brian: (916) 287-1663 Show Notes: https://www.thebakerpodcast.com/blog/11-cpf-president-brian-k-rice

    43 min
  8. 10: Fire Chief Damon Covington

    JAN 24

    10: Fire Chief Damon Covington

    Join Host Christopher Baker and guest Fire Chief Damon Covington of the Oakland Fire Department for an in-depth discussion on career opportunities in public safety with the Oakland Fire Department. The conversation highlights the value of mentorship, developing future leaders from within through succession planning, and recruiting community members who care deeply about the profession and the citizens they serve. They also discuss removing barriers to recruitment, utilizing virtual testing to become a firefighter in today's fire service, and Chief Covington shares his personal journey into public safety—along with why placing service before self remains essential to the profession. Biography: Damon Covington is the 32nd Fire Chief for the Oakland Fire Department. Prior to this appointment, Chief Covington served in an array of capacities over his 25-year career with Oakland Fire, including Firefighter-Paramedic, Fire Engineer, Lieutenant of Fire, Captain of Fire, Captain of Training, Battalion Chief, Special Operations Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, and most recently Interim Fire Chief. Chief Covington's educational accomplishments include a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Sonoma State University and a Master's degree in Executive Public Administration from Golden Gate University. Chief Covington is also a graduate of Harvard University's Senior Executives for State & Local Government (Class of 2023) program at the Kennedy School of Government.  Chief Covington was the President of the Oakland Black Firefighters Association from 2016-2022 and previously served as the Chair of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District, respectively. Additionally, he currently serves as an Adjunct Professor for Merritt College where he lectures in the undergraduate Fire Science program.  Chief Covington is a member of several professional organizations, California Fire Chiefs Association, International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), California Professional Firefighters (CPF), and IAFF Local 55.  Chief Covington moved to the East Bay during his early childhood, graduated from Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, and is the proud father of one son. Show Notes: https://www.thebakerpodcast.com/blog/10-fire-chief-damon-covington

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Host Christopher Baker leads thoughtful discussions on topics including firefighter mentorship, recruitment and retention, SAFER Grants, entry-level fire academy training programs, Regional Occupational Programs (ROP), high school pre-service pathways, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance in the fire service. The Baker Podcast emphasizes the importance of intentional planning for success in mind, body, and spirit—while challenging listeners to make the fire service better than you found it.

Information

  • Creator
    Christopher Baker
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Christopher Baker
  • Show Website
    The Baker Podcast