Mark Basnight

A 25-year veteran of the Charlotte Fire Department, Mark is a Public Information Officer assigned to the Office of Media & Public Affairs. In addition to his responsibilities for media and public affairs, Mark serves as co-website manager for content & design, host of the Internet based CFD Talk Radio show, and co-executive producer for CFD Today “Live with Chief Hannan” TV show. He is also responsible for the research, development, and application of social media technology.

Mark serves as Chair of the Department of Homeland Security Virtual Social Media Working Group and a Disaster Response Public Affairs Officer for the American Red Cross. He is an active member of the U.S. Fire Administration’s Public Information Officers Working Group and the National Information Officer’s Association. Basnight is recognized across the nation as an evangelist for the use of social media in Public Safety and has been a keynote speaker and panelist in national forums. Basnight says “I’m most proud of making popular the phrase “The message hasn’t changed, the way we communicate has.”

Agency: Charlotte Fire Department