Public Information Officer

Mary Eldridge began her career with CAL FIRE in January of 2017 as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit reporting to the Unit Chief. Mary is responsible for the unit’s messaging to our state partners, our cooperators, and our residents. She serves as a PIO on the Sacramento Regional Type 3 Incident Management Team. Eldridge represents the state during major state-wide events at the Governor’s Office of Emergency Service’s Joint Information Center. Eldridge holds advanced Public information Officer and Incident Command System certifications from CAL FIRE, The FEMA Emergency Management Institute and the California Specialized Training Institute. Mary graduated from the Placer County Volunteer Fire Academy in June 2017. Eldridge also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. 

Eldridge manages the unit’s social media presence, documenting and reporting on significant incident activity within the unit, working with county PIOs on extended incidents to facilitate messaging across the three counties. Mary is charged with leading the unit’s public education mission at community events in Placer, Nevada, and Yuba supporting county education events. She also acts as unit historian, gathering historical documents, images and interviewing retirees documenting their experiences. 

Eldridge began her state service with California State Parks in the Auburn State Recreation Area where she managed special events such as the Tevis Cup and Western States 100-mile Endurance run among others. Eldridge was responsible for the park’s volunteers and public education programs.

Mary enjoyed a distinguished 30-year career in broadcast media as Mary West, being awarded the Edward R. Murrow Award for breaking news while reporting for KFBK Radio in Sacramento. Mary is an author and photographer under the air/pen name Mary West awarded multiple writing and photography awards for her syndicated newspaper column and trail guide series Day Hiker- Gold Country Trail Guides.