2023 Parker Impact Award Recipients

The Rotary Club of Parker is happy to announce the recipients of the 2023 Parker Impact Awards. This award is given annually to individuals/groups who have devoted countless hours of compassionate and loving care to our community.  

Bob Baker, Fire Chief, South Metro Fire Rescue

Chief Baker began his career in the Fire Service at the Parker Fire District as a firefighter in 1984 and served in numerous capacities since then including engineer, lieutenant, and battalion chief.  Chief Baker has been a Chief Officer since 1990 and served as Training Chief from 1994 to 1997 and Chief of Administration from 2002 until 2004. While serving as the Operations Chief, from 2004 to 2014, he was instrumental in ensuring the successful consolidation of the Parker Fire District and South Metro Fire Rescue into an Authority in 2008. In 2014 he assumed the role of Fire Chief.  In 2018 SMFR consolidated with the Cunningham Fire Protection District and in 2019 with the Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District, City of Littleton, and Littleton Fire Protection District. The current SMFR covers over 287 square miles and 550,000 residents in 12 cities across 3 counties in the southern metropolitan area of Denver and is served by 30 stations, 5 of which are in Parker (with another just north of Parker in Foxfield). South Metro Fire District is one of only 113 fire departments worldwide that is ISO Class I and Accredited.

His educational background includes an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from Red Rocks Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Bellevue University, an academic certification in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Colorado, and a Master's Degree in Executive Leadership from Grand Canyon University. He is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD., Leadership Douglas County, the Rocky Mountain Leadership Program and was awarded the professional designation of Chief Fire Officer (CFO) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. He has his Fire Officer III certification and he recently attained "Member" status with the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE).

Chief Baker strongly believes in "service before self", treating citizens like family members, and providing strong financial stewardship in the community. He lives in the SMFR district with his wife of 40 years, Denise, and his Mother-in-Law, Sheryl. Bob and Denise are blessed with three children and six grandchildren.

Kam Breitenbach

Kam Breitenbach is an active member of the community and also an active Rotarian.  She is a member of the Cherry Creek Valley Rotary Club of Parker (CCVR), currently serving as its secretary.  Kam has won several awards, including Rotarian of the Year (CCVR), Active Speaker of the Year (Boulder Rotary Club) and Member/Mary Kay Hasz Community Service Award (Highlands Ranch Rotary Club).

The Rotary Club of Parker thanks Bob Baker and Kam Breitenbach for their Service Above Self.