Recognized as part of the March 2026 San Diego Weekly Standouts Series honoring leaders shaping San Diego, California, the Cali-Baja region, and communities connected to the region around the world.
San Diego Weekly Standouts | March 2026 Honoree
As Emergency Operations Center Manager for the San Marcos Fire Department, Jamie Smith has spent more than fifteen years helping San Diego communities prepare for disasters, coordinating large-scale emergency responses, and mentoring the next generation of emergency management professionals.
SAN DIEGO, Calif.
For Jamie Smith, disaster preparedness has never been just a job. It is a responsibility she takes personally.
Long before she stepped into emergency operations centers or coordinated large-scale disaster responses, the seeds of leadership were already present. Growing up as the oldest of three sisters, Jamie naturally took on the role of organizer, planner, and problem-solver. She was the one making sure everyone had what they needed and that things stayed on track.
Her parents reinforced those instincts in powerful ways. Jamie’s mother modeled empathy and compassion, while her father, a football coach, taught lessons about discipline, fairness, and leadership. From him she learned that while winning matters, how you play the game matters even more.
But perhaps the most important lesson he taught was that family is defined not only by blood but by the people you choose to stand beside.
Those lessons would eventually shape a career devoted to protecting communities when they face their most difficult moments.
Colleagues across the region say Smith’s leadership has helped elevate the entire emergency management profession in San Diego County.
Jenna Stein
Emergency Preparedness Program Manager
“Jamie has been such an incredible advocate for the advancement of emergency management and public safety in the San Diego region. Her leadership simultaneously pushes the profession forward while lifting up the individuals involved.”
Preparing San Diego for the Unexpected
San Diego, California is widely recognized for its innovation, coastal lifestyle, and entrepreneurial energy. Yet the region also faces a wide range of natural and human-caused hazards.
Wildfires, earthquakes, severe storms, civil unrest, and public health emergencies can all threaten communities across the region.
Ensuring that cities are prepared for those events is the work Jamie Smith has dedicated her career to.
As Emergency Operations Center Manager for the San Marcos Fire Department, Jamie oversees the activation and coordination of the city’s Emergency Operations Center during crises. In these high-stakes moments she leads teams of up to 72 personnel, guiding multi-agency coordination efforts and helping decision-makers respond quickly and effectively.
Over the course of her career she has supported responses to a wide range of major incidents, including:
- the COVID-19 pandemic
- wildfire emergencies
- severe weather events
- civil unrest incidents
Each incident requires rapid decision-making, coordination between agencies, and a clear understanding of how communities will be affected both immediately and long after the crisis ends.
For Jamie, emergency management is about more than reacting to disasters. It is about ensuring communities are prepared before they occur.
City leadership in San Marcos says Smith’s impact has strengthened preparedness systems and built lasting resilience across the community.
Michelle Bender
City Manager
“To Whom It May Concern:
I am honored to share a testimonial for Jamie Smith, Emergency Manager for the City of San Marcos, for San Diego Weekly’s upcoming Women of Influence edition.
For more than four years, Jamie has served the City of San Marcos with exceptional professionalism, steady leadership, and a deep commitment to public safety. In that time, she has strengthened our emergency management program from the ground up—developing comprehensive policies and procedures for our Emergency Operations Center and leading full-scale emergency responses with confidence and precision. Her work has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the safety and resilience of our community.
In 2025, Jamie coordinated the City’s response to a range of complex and high-pressure incidents, including winter storms, the Claro Fire, the federal government shutdown, and demonstrations within the city. In each instance, she demonstrated calm leadership, strategic decision-making, and an ability to bring multiple agencies together under challenging circumstances.
Jamie is a trusted cross-departmental and regional collaborator. She has cultivated strong partnerships throughout North County and the broader region, ensuring that jurisdictions train and prepare together long before disaster strikes. Her leadership has influenced every North County jurisdiction to establish a dedicated, full-time emergency manager—an extraordinary and lasting contribution to regional preparedness.
I have relied heavily on Jamie’s expertise and have complete confidence in her ability to manage complex, all-hands-on-deck emergencies requiring interdepartmental coordination and multi-agency collaboration. For example, she spearheaded a cross-jurisdictional earthquake drill that brought together leaders from 25 agencies across North County—an effort that significantly strengthened our collective readiness.
When an emergency arises, I know without hesitation that Jamie will guide the response with clarity, competence, and an unwavering focus on achieving the best possible outcome for our community.
Jamie is committed to leadership not only in the region, but statewide. Jamie serves on the California Fire Chiefs Association Emergency Managers Section Board, is Co-Chair of the County Chiefs Association Emergency Managers Section and serves as Co-Chair of the North Zone Emergency Managers Section.
Jamie is a woman of influence in the city, and the region as a whole – and I am confident that she will have positive impact for years to come.
Sincerely,
Michelle Bender
City Manager
Background Profile
Name
Jamie Smith
Professional Title
Emergency Operations Center Manager
Organization
San Marcos Fire Department
Leadership Focus
Disaster preparedness, emergency response coordination, and regional collaboration across agencies
Community Impact
Training responders, mentoring emergency management professionals, and strengthening disaster readiness throughout San Diego County
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieasmithem/
The Moment That Changed Her Path
Jamie’s journey into emergency management did not begin with a traditional career plan.
In fact, she originally pursued a degree in Musical Theater at California State University, Fullerton.
But in 2010, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti and changed the trajectory of her life.
Watching the crisis unfold, Jamie felt a strong pull to help. She joined a relief team and traveled to Haiti to assist with recovery efforts.
The experience transformed her understanding of what meaningful work could look like.
When she returned home, she knew she needed to pursue a different path.
Jamie moved back to San Diego and enrolled at San Diego State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution followed by a Master’s degree in Homeland Security.
From that point forward, her mission became clear: helping communities prepare for and recover from disasters.
Leadership Beyond the Local Level
While Jamie’s primary role focuses on San Marcos, her work influences disaster preparedness across the broader region.
She currently serves as Co-Chair of the County Chiefs Emergency Management Section and Co-Chair of the North Zone Chiefs Emergency Management Section, helping coordinate preparedness planning among agencies throughout San Diego County.
She also contributes to statewide policy discussions through Cal Chiefs, helping develop best practices and guidance for emergency management professionals across California.
Colleagues across California recognize Jamie’s leadership in advancing community preparedness.
Justin Matsushita
Fire Chief, Ret. – Emergency Management Section President, California Fire Chiefs Association
“The City of San Marcos, County of San Diego, and State of California are safer because of Jamie’s selfless dedication and genuine passion for emergency preparedness. I have been privileged to work alongside Jamie at the local and statewide level advocating for improvements in community resilience and safety measures. Her leadership within the Emergency Management community has inspired greater collaboration, participation, overall enhanced community safety throughout state. I can’t think of someone more deserving of recogniction for her influence in keeping us all safe!”
Disasters rarely respect jurisdictional boundaries. Fires spread across cities. Storms impact entire regions. Public health crises affect communities nationwide.
For Jamie, strong relationships between agencies are essential for effective disaster response.
Those who have worked alongside Smith for years say her leadership qualities were evident long before she held formal leadership roles.
Holly Porter
Support Services Director, Sheriff’s Office
“I met Jamie 11 years ago when she was a student worker and I was Director of the County of San Diego’s Office of Emergency Services. Leadership can be demonstrated regardless of title or position and Jamie has always been someone who seeks to lift others up. Through humor, encouragement, and a strong commitment to regional collaboration Jamie quickly became known as someone who is willing to share resources, plans, ideas, and lessons learned. Emergency Management requires strong cross jurisdictional coordination and this is where Jamie’s strengths shine. Her leadership in convening and aligning North County jurisdictions in planning for disasters will have lasting impacts on public safety.”
The Hidden Side of Disaster Recovery
When people think about disasters, they often imagine the moment when the event occurs.
But for emergency managers, the real work begins after the initial crisis.
The first phase of response focuses on immediate needs: shelter, medical care, food, water, and reuniting families.
Then comes the much longer road to recovery.
Homes may be destroyed. Businesses may close. Families can lose vehicles, documentation, and financial stability. Communities often face months or years of rebuilding.
Navigating FEMA assistance, insurance claims, and public aid programs can be overwhelming for those already dealing with trauma.
Jamie’s work often involves helping communities navigate that complex recovery process while ensuring the most vulnerable populations are not left behind.
She has seen firsthand that disasters disproportionately impact individuals already facing challenges such as language barriers, financial hardship, disabilities, or limited access to transportation.
For Jamie, disaster preparedness must always include an understanding of equity.
Regional emergency management leaders say Smith has played a key role in strengthening coordination across jurisdictions throughout San Diego County.
Marlon King
Emergency Services Manager
“Jamie Smith has been a stalwart in the emergency management profession—not only within San Diego County, but across the state. She has dedicated much of her career to strengthening and unifying the emergency management community within the San Diego Operational Area, going to great lengths to ensure that regional planning, preparedness, and response efforts remain coordinated and collaborative.
Jamie was instrumental in championing the creation of the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association – Emergency Management Section and has stepped forward to lead the Section over the past three years. I have had the privilege of serving alongside Jamie on the Executive Board, where I continue to witness firsthand her passion for the profession, her commitment to intentional collaboration, and her unwavering dedication to advancing public safety initiatives throughout the region.
Through her leadership, she continues to elevate the emergency management community and strengthen the resilience of the entire region. San Diego County is fortunate to have a leader who is not focused on personal accomplishments, but on developing lasting partnerships and inspiring progress.”
Building Systems That Protect Communities
Throughout her career, Jamie has helped build two emergency management programs from the ground up within organizations that previously had no dedicated emergency manager.
She has also played a key role in securing hundreds of thousands of dollars in FEMA Public Assistance funding, helping municipalities recover financially after disasters.
Training and preparedness exercises are another cornerstone of her work.
Each year Jamie provides more than 45 hours of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) instruction, teaching residents how to assist their neighbors during emergencies.
She has trained 72 city staff members as disaster responders, strengthening the city’s ability to respond effectively when major incidents occur.
In 2025, she also helped lead a planning team for a large-scale earthquake coordination drill across North County, bringing together 25 agencies and 111 participants to test response systems and strengthen regional collaboration.
For Jamie, preparedness is not theoretical. It is something that must be practiced and refined continuously. Jamie’s work has and will continue to strengthen emergency preparedness and cross-agency partnerships.
Bill Frederick
Division Chief of Operations/EMS
“Emergency Manager (EM) Jamie Smith is the City of San Marcos’ first Emergency Manager. She has already brought tremendous value to the organization through her experience and passion for emergency preparedness. Jamie takes pride in building strong relationships and working collaboratively with partners across the region to strengthen community resilience. Examples include her work as a cadre member on the San Diego County Multi-Agency Wildland Preparedness Exercise which is hosted in the County each year training thousands of firefighters. We are very happy to have Jamie on our team.”
A Philosophy of Genuine Care
At the core of Jamie’s work is a simple belief. Preparation is an act of love.
Every emergency plan, training exercise, and interagency partnership represents a commitment to protect communities when they are most vulnerable.
Those who work alongside Smith say her leadership style emphasizes teamwork, collaboration, and a shared commitment to public safety.
Lauren Corson
Fire Inspector SMFD
“I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Jamie with San Marcos Fire and across the emergency management community in San Diego County for over three years now. Jamie is an incredible emergency manager whose leadership and dedication make a real difference in how we prepare for and respond to emergencies.
She’s someone who truly cares about the work and the people around her. Jamie brings people together, supports her team, and is always focused on how we can better serve our communities. I’m grateful to work alongside her and to see the positive impact she continues to have on public safety and regional preparedness.”
Emergency management professionals often work behind the scenes, preparing for events they hope will never happen. Yet those preparations can make the difference between chaos and resilience.
Mentoring the Next Generation of Leaders
Jamie also dedicates significant time to mentoring professionals entering the field of emergency management. Over the years she has supported numerous individuals as they build careers in public safety and disaster response.
She has also been intentional about encouraging women to pursue leadership roles within emergency management, a profession that historically has been male-dominated.
Rather than shrinking in rooms where she may be the only woman present, Jamie focuses on expanding the table and opening doors for others.
Jamie’s efforts are helping shape the next generation of emergency management professionals through education and curriculum development while sharing her lived experiences.
Dr. Kenneth Christopher
Professor
“As an Associate Part-Time Professor, Jamie has been a valued member of the Homeland security and Emergency Management (HSEM) Faculty at National University. She has been leading the effort to update several important courses in our graduate program, particularly in the subjects of Disaster Recovery and Emergency/Disaster Response. As a teacher, she engages her students with purpose, emphasizing the importance of approaching emergency management as dedicated professionals. As the HSEM Academic program Director I regularly ask Jamie to participate in ongoing program reviews and curriculum development. Her contributions have demonstrated her commitment to strengthening community resilience through her teaching and work in emergency management.”
The Personal Motivation Behind the Work
Outside of emergency operations and policy meetings, Jamie’s life is shaped by another powerful role.
She is a mother.
Her daughter is often at the center of her reflections about leadership and responsibility.
Jamie knows that her daughter may not remember every lesson she hears growing up, but she will remember what she witnessed.
She will see a woman who stepped into difficult rooms, led with integrity, and worked to build something better for the people around her.
For Jamie, that example matters deeply.
Why Their Story Matters Now
Jamie Smith’s work represents one of the most essential yet often unseen roles in public safety.
Emergency managers spend years preparing for events that communities hope never happen. Yet when those moments arrive, their preparation becomes the foundation for resilience.
Across San Diego County, Jamie has spent more than fifteen years helping build those systems, strengthening partnerships between agencies, and ensuring communities are ready to respond.
Her work reminds us that leadership is not always visible in the spotlight.
Fire service leaders across the region echo that sentiment, noting Smith’s professionalism and commitment to the broader emergency management community.
Jayson Summers, CFO
Fire Chief
“Jamie has been not only an asset to the San Marcos Fire Department, but also to the entire region in San Diego County, and the Emergency Management profession in California. In my role as the Fire Chief liaison to emergency managers throughout San Diego County, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Jamie, and her leadership, professionalism, and commitment to public safety have been exceptional.”
Sometimes it happens quietly in planning meetings, training exercises, and late-night emergency operations centers where decisions must be made quickly to protect thousands of lives.
And when the worst day arrives, those preparations become the reason communities are able to endure and recover.
This recognition is part of the March 2026 San Diego Weekly Standouts Series honoring leaders shaping San Diego, California, the Cali-Baja region, and communities connected to the region around the world.
San Diego Weekly Standouts | March 2026 Honoree
About the San Diego Standouts Series
The San Diego Standouts Series from San Diego Weekly highlights individuals whose leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and service are helping shape the future of San Diego, California, the Cali-Baja region, and communities connected to the region around the world.
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Profiles featured in the San Diego Standouts Series are selected by the San Diego Weekly editorial team to highlight individuals whose leadership and service are helping shape San Diego and the Cali-Baja region. The Editor’s Choice is for individuals whose impact on San Diego and the broader region is undeniable: the founders redefining industries, the advocates transforming communities, and the visionaries building what comes next. Past and current considerations include civic leaders, nonprofit founders, tech entrepreneurs, educators, creatives, and cultural icons across the San Diego and Cali-Baja region. These editorial recognitions are independent features and honors, there is no fee required to be selected.
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