Judith Downing brings extensive expertise in emergency and crisis management to the Benicia Fire Safe Council. As an Emergency Management Specialist with the USDA Forest Service, she has years of experience coordinating response efforts to wildfires and other natural disasters across California and beyond. Her deep understanding of wildfire behavior, community risk, and interagency coordination is critical to strengthening Benicia’s local preparedness.

Judith is also a seasoned Public Information Officer, skilled in crisis communications, media relations, and public outreach. Her ability to clearly communicate risk and safety information during emergencies helps ensure timely and effective messaging to the public—an essential element of any fire-safe strategy.

With graduate coursework in human communication from California State University, Chico, Judith combines technical knowledge with strong interpersonal and organizational skills. She is well-equipped to support neighborhood-level engagement, training, and education initiatives focused on defensible space, evacuation readiness, and community resilience.

Judith’s unique blend of field experience, policy insight, and communication skills makes her an invaluable resource to the Fire Safe Council. Her contributions will enhance Benicia’s capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfire and other emergency incidents.