BSRancher
Ahead of the fire bell
Corona inspector puts focus on talks with developers, kids
12:51 AM PDT on Tuesday, May 16, 2006
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CORONA - On May 3, Corona fire inspector Xenté Baker was returning to Corona from a training assignment in Loma Linda when he heard about a fire in a cabinet shop over the radio. On his own initiative, Baker went to the scene to begin the investigation before witnesses could leave or memories fade.
Baker talked to all involved in the fire at Gary Robson's custom cabinet shop including the employee who apparently accidentally started the blaze.
Taking the initiative is one of the qualities that have made Baker a valued employee of the Corona Fire Department, where he has risen from apprentice to the rank of Fire Inspector II in seven years.
Preventing fires is the main part of his job. He works with developers on getting their projects to conform to code. He deals with complaints of hazards such as weeds.
He works with children who have been reported to authorities as responsible for a fire at home to prevent them from becoming possible arsonists.
Baker, 33, seems to be a perfect fit for his career.
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"He likes to help people," his wife, Charryse Baker, said.
"It's not something he would do for money," Charryse Baker said. "He went to Knott's Berry Farm. This old man was passing out. He ran over to help. For a lot of people, it's just their job. He's never like that. If somebody is injured or hurt, he's right there."
Corona Fire Chief Mike Warren has never overturned one of Baker's decisions.
"He is so thorough and pays such close attention to detail," Warren said. "He interacts with the community and developers very well."
Baker lives in Rialto with his wife and their two children, Dominic, 8, and Devin, 5.
As a child growing up in San Bernardino, Baker had two sources of inspiration to join the fire service: the television show, "Emergency 51" and the city's Black History Parade that included the city's black firefighters.
"I was able to meet a couple of the blacks (in the parade)," Baker said. "That along with the show piqued my interest. That was something I can do. I saw someone who looked like me on the fire engine."
After graduating from Eisenhower High in Rialto in 1991, Baker attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta for two years. When he ran out of money, he came home.
He worked for the postal service. He also volunteered at the San Bernardino Fire Department.
Told there were no openings for firefighters, he accepted a position as a volunteer inspector.
"I loved it," Baker said. "I was there almost every single day."
"They ended up sponsoring me through the Crafton Hills Fire Academy. I wore San Bernardino fire patches through the academy. They provided all the gear. I haven't looked back."
Though Baker has missed out on the more glamorous side of the fire service, his personality makes him better suited to the prevention side.
He doesn't have to be gone from home for a 24-hour shift. He doesn't have to work holidays.
He takes his children to school and attends their activities. He teaches fire prevention classes at their school.
Sometimes work intrudes on his commitments. Last January, he was called to a fire in Corona during a banquet for his boys' flag football team in Ontario.
He got back in time to eat some cold pizza and receive a plaque for coaching the team.
"He was kind of bummed he had to leave," recalled Charryse Baker. "You could tell he was excited when he got back. He encouraged a lot of the kids on the team."
Baker's unusual first name (pronounced ZAY-ON-Thay) has been a boost in his life.
"My dad was in the military," he said. "He was looking in a Greek magazine, piecing letters together. He came up with Xenté. It has no meaning. My dad wanted me to be different. He wanted my name to be different."
The name is a natural icebreaker with strangers. When people see his nametag on his uniform, they ask him about it.
"My name badge forces me to talk to people," Baker said.
Corona Fire Marshal Galen Young said Baker is very good at dealing with business people who may have to spend thousands of dollars to correct a potential fire hazard or delay an opening.
"He wants to help people," Young said. "He understands what he is asking may be financially a great burden."
Young said Baker does a very good job in working with young people who are sent to the department for the "juvenile fire setter program. ... None of his cases have become arrests."
Baker assesses the risk level of the children. He educates them on the behavior, chemistry and the consequences of fire.
"The kids may come from a single family home," he said, "or there may be issues at home. The fire, it's usually a cry for help."
"These kids are not bad kids. I give them a homework assignment. I make them come back and give me a report. That's one way I feel I'm giving back to the children of this community or children as a whole."
Reach Jerry Soifer at jsoifer@PE.com or (951) 893-2112
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