Brandon Baker named Rock Island interim fire chief

Rock Island City Manager Todd Thompson has appointed Deputy Fire Chief Brandon Baker as Interim Fire Chief, a news release says. He replaces Fire Chief Bob Graff, who retired Friday, Oct. 2 after 29 years of service.

Baker was hired by the Rock Island Fire Department in September of 2007 and quickly established himself as a dedicated and skilled firefighter. In 2016, he was awarded Firefighter of the Year by the Knights of Columbus. His exemplary service led to his promotion to lieutenant in 2019, to captain in 2024 and to battalion chief in July of 2026. Upon the retirement of Deputy Fire Chief Greg Marty last month, Baker was named deputy fire chief.

"Chief Baker will provide the necessary stability and continuity in the Fire Department as the City goes through the selection process for a new chief and deputy chief,” Thompson said. “Chief Baker brings 19 years of experience to his role and I trust him to continue the high level of service, professionalism and commitment to public safety that Rock Island residents expect.”

Baker has made significant contributions to the department through his work on the
Foreign Fire Tax Board, where he has served for more than 10 years, the release says. He has been a key player in the research, testing and application of the department’s equipment, apparatus and operational policies, ensuring the department remains at the forefront of firefighting technology and practices.

In addition to his duties with the department, Baker is a State Fire Academy instructor with the Illinois Fire Service Institute, a member of the MABAS 43 Technical Rescue Team, and recently served two years with the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal - Division of Personnel Standards & Education as a Fire Certification Specialist.

The release says his expertise and commitment to training and technical rescue have been invaluable to the department and the community.

Baker earned an associate’s degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University and graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in Public Safety Management from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

“I am excited to be given this opportunity and I look forward to contributing what I can to
the continued success of the department,” Baker said.

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