Always Giving Back

There are probably people who wonder why Scott Baird of Corinth volunteers so much of his time to civic projects. Ask him. His answer is always short, direct, and sincere.

“This is my community and these are my people,” he says. “It’s my responsibility to help when, where, and however I can.”

Baird moved from Dallas to Lake Dallas in 1973. He and his siblings graduated from Lake Dallas High School. His children attended and graduated from LDHS, and he has grandkids entering the LDISD. Cementing the relationship even more firmly is his wife Martha, who’s taught in the system for 34 years.

“I was with the Lake Cities Fire Department for eight years,” Baird added. “That’s back when it was 100 percent volunteer.” He was a firefighter and arson investigator, and eventually became the department’s first paid employee.

Baird was a driving force in creating the Fire Academy/EMT program, which is a partnership between LDISD and North Central Texas College to provide firefighter and emergency medical technician training for LDHS students.

“The program is full every year,” Baird said. “It’s taught by firemen and is a two-year, dual credit plan during junior and senior years. It gives kids early discipline and direction and allows them to take the exams for EMT and Fire Protection Certification. It also includes several hours of college credit.

“I also serve on the Denton County Medical Reserve Corps, which is a group of volunteers called up to serve during emergency situations.” Baird is also a former police officer and now converts that experience into providing security at churches.

Baird is serving his third term (three years per term) on the LDISD Board of trustees, starting in 2007. Why?

“I want our schools to provide the best we can, and to make our students proud of their home,” he answered.

For questions about Fire Academy/EMT, contact jdbryant@ldisd.net or mavelino@ldisd.net