PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Audio)

When the Maui Wildfires Collapsed the Grid: Command, Chaos, and Critical Connectivity What happens when a climate-driven, multi-front inferno knocks out cellular service and leaves hydrants dry? In this episode of Catching Wildfire, Maui Fire Chief Bradford Ventura joins Chief Jeff Johnson and Chief Kim Zagaris to deliver a raw, firsthand account of commanding a catastrophic disaster that burned t...

Wildfire isn’t just a "West Coast issue" anymore—it’s a growing threat that’s spreading across the entire country. But how do we actually stay ahead of it? In this episode of Catching Wildfire, I’m sitting down with Renny Vandewege, General Manager at DTN Weather, and my co-host, Chief Kim "Chief Z" Zagaris. We’re diving deep into the massive technological shift happening in public safety. We move...

In this episode of the Catching Wildfire podcast, hosts Jeff Johnson (Retired Executive Director for the Western Fire Chiefs) and Chief Kim Zagaris (Senior Wildfire Policy Adviser for the Western Fire Chiefs) sit down with Will Pigeon, the Co-Founder and CEO of Tablet Command. We explore how Tablet Command is revolutionizing the fire service by serving as a unified digital platform that drasticall...

Are modern wildfires becoming impossible to stop?  In this episode of Catching Wildfire, we dive into why the wildfire crisis has evolved into a "runaway structure fire" problem. The wildfire crisis in the U.S. has fundamentally evolved. It’s no longer just a wildland issue; it’s an urban conflagration problem. The current approach to wildfire management is struggling to address the escalating eco...

Could autonomous aircraft change the way we fight wildfires? 🚁🔥 In this episode of Catching Wildfire, we sit down with Maxwell Brodie, founder of RAIN, to explore the future of autonomous wildfire response. We discuss the transition from traditional firefighting to integrating advanced autonomous technology, the reality of "assistive" vs. "uncrewed" flight, and how to overcome the biggest hurdle...

Discover how cutting‑edge satellite technology is reshaping the future of wildland fire management. This episode dives into the shift from basic fire detection to advanced intensity assessment—unlocking proactive strategies, smarter decision‑making, and unprecedented situational awareness for fire professionals.   You’ll hear how purpose‑built satellite systems, strategic funding, and a reimagined...

Genasys is transforming public safety by providing a zone-based, end-to-end communication platform that delivers precise, actionable evacuation instructions to residents in under five minutes.   From Acoustic Hardware to Integrated Software: Genasys originally gained prominence with Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRAD) for military use. Today, it has evolved into a comprehensive protective communica...

On this episode of Catching Wildfire, join Chief Jeff Johnson, Chief Kim Zagaris, and Chief Brian Fennessy as they discuss how effective leadership in the modern fire service requires a commitment to authenticity, a willingness to embrace technological innovation, and the persistence to overcome systemic resistance to change.   This conversation serves as a powerful mentorship session, capturing w...

In this powerful episode of Catching Wildfire, Chief Jeff Johnson is joined by Michael Coad, Head of Product at Sonim Technologies, and Chief Zagaris, retired California State Fire & Rescue Chief. Together, they explore how Sonim’s ultra-rugged mobile devices are transforming wildfire response and public safety communications.   📱 Key Highlights:   The origin and impact of Sonim’s Band 14 Fir...

During the 2025 Vision Summit, the Catching Wildfire podcast hosted the leaders representing the FirstNet public/private partnership. Chief Kim Zagaris had the opportunity to sit down with Scott Agnew, President of FirstNet, Built with AT&T, and Jeff Bratcher, Deputy Executive Director, Office of Operations and Chief Technology Officer with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Autho...

Welcome back to our podcast!   On this episode, our hosts, Chief Jeff Johnson and Chief Kim Zagaris, are joined by Chief David Winnacker to discuss the art of strategically staging resources and tools to effectively combat wildfires. Chief Winnacker shares the challenges and successes of his efforts to create a common operating picture for fire response. Chief Winnacker also speaks to the importan...

Welcome back to Catching Wildfire! On this episode, Chief Jeff Johnson and Chief Kim Zagaris speak with David Blankinship, President of Emergent. David shares how his background has contributed to the technical evolutions and innovations at Emergent. During the episode, they delve into how Emergent's fire apparatus hotspots and architectural design are making a difference in the fire industry.   A...

Catching Wildfire: Cutting-edge technologies and innovations in wildfire   In this inaugural episode of the Catching Wildfire podcast series, Chief Jeff Johnson (Ret.) and Chief Kim Zagaris are joined by Dr. Neal Driscoll as they discuss the Alert West Wildfire Camera & Sensor Networks used to detect wildfires on the West Coast.   Dr. Neal Driscoll is the principal investigator of the ALERTCal...