Watch Duty by Jeff Basham

Jeff Basham is a Sonoma County native and an information technology professional with more than 20 years of experience supporting technology in local government and higher education. He currently serves as the Department Information Systems Manager for Sonoma Public Infrastructure at the County of Sonoma, where he leads the department’s IT operations and works to ensure that critical technology systems support public services and infrastructure throughout the county.

Earlier in his career, Jeff also worked as both a 911 dispatcher and an air ambulance dispatcher, experiences that gave him firsthand insight into emergency response operations and the importance of clear, timely, and accurate information during critical incidents. That background—combined with his technology expertise—has shaped his long-standing interest in how information flows during emergencies and how the public can access reliable updates when they matter most.

During the devastating 2017 Sonoma County wildfires, Jeff found himself in a unique position. With his technical background, familiarity with emergency communications, and strong local network, he began quickly gathering and sharing verified, factual updates with friends and family through social media. What started as a way to help those close to him stay informed soon became a trusted source of information for a much wider circle of community members seeking clarity during a rapidly evolving crisis.

Today, Jeff brings that same commitment to accuracy and community service to Watch Duty, where he volunteers as a Reporter. In this role, he helps monitor developing wildfire incidents, verify information from multiple sources, and share timely updates that help residents understand what is happening in their communities. His goal is to ensure that people have access to clear, reliable information so they can make informed decisions and stay safe during emergencies.

Jeff is passionate about supporting community resilience through technology and information sharing, and he believes tools like Watch Duty play an important role in helping communities stay connected, prepared, and informed during times of crisis.