Year Started with District: 2023

Hometown: Santa Rosa, CA

Educational Background: Karen has an Bachelor Degree in Biophysical Geography from Sonoma State University.

Career History:  Karen Hancock is the Community Outreach Specialist and Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Sonoma County Fire District, bringing a wealth of experience from a distinguished career in public safety and law enforcement. Her journey began in 2002 graduating Police Academy as a California State Park Peace Officer Ranger, where she developed a deep understanding of the importance of Crime Prevention programs, particularly for youth in the underserved communities of Imperial and Riverside counties where she was first assigned. Karen was born and raised in Sonoma County and has a bachelor’s degree from Sonoma State University in Biophysical Geography.  After a brief hiatus to focus on her family, Karen returned to law enforcement, joining the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. There, she held several critical roles, including as a 911 Dispatcher and Detention Specialist Supervisor in the jail, culminating in her work as a Community Services Officer within the Crime Prevention Unit and Field PIO on the Sheriff’s Crisis Communications Team.

Karen's commitment to community engagement and public safety is further demonstrated by her role as the Sonoma County Fire District’s PIO, where she has been pivotal during emergencies and disasters providing information to the public in both English and Spanish. In her current role, Karen continues to leverage her extensive background in public safety, community service, and crisis communication to foster strong community relations and enhance public safety outreach initiatives through prevention programs promoting life safety risk reduction for the communities she serves in Sonoma County.