Wendy Aguilar

Media and Communications Specialist
Sacramento Fire Department
Wendy Aguilar is a seasoned journalist turned award-winning communicator and public relations professional, celebrated for her creative storytelling and innovative approach to public engagement. She has received numerous accolades, including the 2023 “Communicator of the Year Award” from the California Association of Public Information Officials, the “Rising Influencer of the Year” by PRSA California Capital Chapter, and first place for “Best Social Media Account” in 2023 by the International Firefighters Association. 
 
As the Media and Communications Specialist for the Sacramento Fire Department and co-founder of Second Alarm Communications Group, Wendy has helped redefine how her agency connects with the community. As a result of her work, the department’s social media presence has grown significantly, with Instagram now reaching more than 167,000 followers and TikTok surpassing 140,000 followers. Her creative, authentic, and people-centered storytelling continues to inspire engagement and trust across audiences. 
 
Wendy’s passion lies in building relationships and creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and part of the story. Her work centers on human connection, bridging the gap between sworn staff, civilian employees, and the community through storytelling that uplifts, informs, and inspires. 
Bilingual in English and Spanish and currently learning Italian, Wendy uses language and empathy to connect across cultures. Her journey from journalism to public relations reflects her belief that storytelling isn’t just about communication; it’s about connection. 

Wendy Aguilar’s Session

9:45 a.m.–10:30 a.m. Pacific — Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Video Best Practices — Creative Content Creation for Instagram Reels and TikTok

When the Sacramento Fire Department opened up its lateral firefighter position, its communication team turned to social media to create engaging content to promote the job! 

They created several social media post with engaging photos, video, and music that was then shared to all social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok. The lateral firefighter job post reached a combined audience of more than 250,000 social media users. Not only did they receive a significantly higher number of applicants for the job, but they also increased the number of followers. 

Since then, they have been focusing on creating more Instagram Reels and TikTok videos and have seen significant growth. Join Sacramento Fire's Media and Communications Specialist Wendy Aguilar and Public Information Officer Keith Wade to learn all the latest tricks and tips for creating engaging and informative Instagram Reels and TikTok videos. 

Key takeaways:

  • Learn the basic rules for shooting quick videos that transition smoothly 
  • Learn how to come up with content ideas to help you engage and grow your audience 
  • Learn how to get buy-in from leadership as well as members of your department/agency
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