E.R. Scott Baker, a pronounced name in fire investigation services, is highly regarded for his longstanding tenure in the United States military and current role as an explosive and fire investigator with Peek Fire Investigations. Since 2019, he has served the organization by investigating fires reported by insurance companies and examining fire scenes to determine the origin and cause of the fire. Mr. Baker’s pioneering work in the field is exemplified by his several honors and invitations, such as teaching the inaugural class for the California Conference of Arson Investigators’ Fire Investigators Academy in 2022. Notably, the specialized academy was established to provide comprehensive training and certification in fire investigation.
At the inception of his career, Mr. Baker served in the United States Air Force between 1963 and 1973, first as an air policeman security specialist for the Strategic Air Command and a sentry dog handler in the K9 program. Deployed to Vietnam with a sentry dog in 1966, he went on to serve as a member of the 821st Combat Security Police Squadron in Kansas and completely temporary duty assignments across the globe, supporting various military bases.
After departing from his military service, Mr. Baker served as a combat engineer in demolitions with the Army National Guard from 1981 to 1984, a security police officer with the California Air National Guard from 1984 to 1987, and a special agent in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) with the United States Air Force from 1987 to 2001. During these tenures, Mr. Baker concurrently served as a United States Air Force AFOSI investigator with the United States Air Force Reserve between 1987 and 2002 and was a special investigator for the State of California’s Fire Marshal from 1984 to 2019. He also taught at Fresno City College for over 30 years and was a former deputy sheriff, firefighter and police officer in several California counties.
An instrumental figure in fire investigations, Mr. Baker once provided key information that helped to launch an investigation leading to the conviction of prolific arsonist John Orr, a former fire captain who had ignited fires across California in the 1980s. Mr. Baker later testified against Orr, and his role was mentioned in the book “Fire Lover” by Joseph Wambaugh. Likewise, he was once called into a briefing on a terrorist bombing in Washington, D.C., where his candid observations attracted the attention of officials, leading them to recruit him to work on the case and ultimately aid in identifying the perpetrators.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Baker aims to continue enacting positive change in society, noting that he has always found fulfillment in helping others. However, his ultimate motivation lies in the well-being and achievements of his children, and he is committed to guiding them toward their own success.
