Chief Joel G. Baker was appointed Fire Chief of the Austin Fire Department in December 2018, becoming the first African-American to hold the position in the city’s history. He began his fire service career in 1986 with the City of East Point, Georgia, and later spent over 30 years with Atlanta Fire Rescue, ultimately serving as Fire Chief until his retirement in early 2018. Known for his strong emphasis on diversity, professional development, and community engagement, Chief Baker continues to lead one of the nation’s largest fire departments with a focus on innovation, equity, and service.