All Things Wildfire Podcast

Kate Stillwell, co-founder of Fire Break, joins the conversation to discuss her company's innovative approach to wildfire risk management and insurance. FireBreak focuses on creating data-driven solutions to predict and mitigate the impact of wildfires. Kate shares her journey in founding FireBreak, driven by a deep understanding of the growing threat of wildfires and the need for more effective r...

In this episode of the All Things Wildfire podcast, host OP Almaraz welcomes Diane Delaney, CEO and Executive Director of the Private Risk Management Association (PRMA). The discussion kicks off with Diane explaining her role at PRM, highlighting how the organization brings together independent agents, high-net-worth insurance carriers, and service providers to enhance the personal insurance indus...

We're excited to bring you another gripping episode of All Things Wildfire , where we dive deep into the world of wildfire mitigation and mental health in firefighting. This week, host OP Almaraz is joined by Steve Orr, a seasoned firefighter and paramedic with decades of frontline experience. Tune in to discover transformative insights and actionable strategies to protect both your property and y...

In this special edition, our host OP Almaraz sits down with Daniel Berlant from CAL FIRE to delve into the critical strategies that are shaping California's wildfire defense and prevention efforts. Why This Episode is a Game-Changer: Exclusive Insights: Daniel Berlant shares insider knowledge on CAL FIRE's groundbreaking initiatives in wildfire prevention, preparedness, and forest health measures....

In this episode of the All Things Wildfire podcast, host Kevin Sofen interviews a guest, delving into various topics related to firefighting, technology, and disaster preparedness. They discuss the guest's multifaceted career, which includes involvement in virtual reality (VR) training, drone technology, wearables for incident command, and strategic advising for fire associations. The conversation...

In the latest episode of All Things Wildfire Podcast, Maxwell Brodie from Rain discusses the groundbreaking use of autonomous helicopters in combating wildfires. Brodie begins by outlining the immense scale of the wildfire crisis, showcasing instances where emissions from wildfires exceeded those of entire countries. He emphasizes the urgency of addressing this global challenge and highlights Rain...

The podcast episode delves into the increasing challenges homeowners face in California and other wildfire-prone states regarding insurance coverage and risk mitigation. The host OP Almaraz, representing Allied Disaster Defense, outlines various preventive measures they assist homeowners with, including installing ember-resistant vents, gutter guards, vegetation management, fire retardant spraying...

The podcast episode features Amy Bach, the executive director of United Policyholders, an insurance consumer advocacy group. The host introduces Amy as an advocate for policyholders and discusses her background as an attorney. Amy shares her insights on insurance claims and the importance of policyholders being informed and empowered. Throughout the conversation, Amy and the host discuss various t...

The All Things Wildfire podcast delves into the intricacies of addressing wildfire issues, featuring guests like Simon Weibel from Burned Bot, a Silicon Valley tech company tackling the wildfire problem. In this episode, Simon discusses how Burn Bot originated from the need to resolve challenges encountered during land treatments. The company's journey began with a prototype dubbed the "mini burn...

The All Things Wildfire Podcast episode features Kurt Thoennessen, an insurance specialist and CEO of Risk Review Software. The host emphasizes the importance of working with the right person for specific wildfire insurance needs. Kurt discusses the current state of the insurance industry, particularly in relation to wildfires, highlighting the challenges and changes in underwriting guidelines. Th...

In this episode of the All Things Wildfire podcast, the host welcomes Heather Posner, Vice President of National Product Manager at Private Client in Burns and Wilcox. The host commends Heather's expertise, having attended one of her classes and observed her participation in webinars. They discuss Heather's extensive background, starting with Progressive Insurance in 1999 and later moving to AIG a...

In this episode of the All Things Wildfire podcast, Justice Jones, a wildfire mitigation officer from Austin, Texas, joins as a guest to discuss the pressing need for a cultural shift in how we approach and prepare for wildfires. The conversation delves into collaborative community efforts, highlighting the adoption of a community wildfire protection plan in Austin and the importance of residents...

The All Things Wildfire podcast, hosted by O.P. Almaraz, features Andrea Santy as the guest, delving into the pressing issue of wildfires occurring beyond traditional fire seasons. The podcast introduces the XPRIZE for Wildfire, an $11 million competition designed to stimulate innovation in combatting destructive wildfires. Andrea Santy explains the meticulous process behind the XPRIZE's developme...

Frank Frievalt, with an illustrious career in the fire service since 1979, joins us to discuss the latest trends and challenges in protecting properties against wildfires. The conversation touches on the impact of climate change, the disconnect in the insurance industry's understanding of the "conflagration sequence of loss," and strategies to disrupt fire pathways for enhanced community protectio...

We wanted to share an insightful episode from our "All Things Wildfire" podcast that delves into the complexities of navigating insurance claims after wildfires. In this episode, our guest, Steve Severaid, sheds light on the challenges homeowners face, particularly with the increasing reliance on California Fair Plan. Episode Summary: The podcast explores the intricacies of wildfire insurance clai...

In this riveting episode, our host O.P. Almaraz delves into a personal experience during the 2020 Blue Ridge Fire in Southern California, unveiling the chaos and uncertainty faced during evacuations. The episode takes you on a journey of discovery, motivation, and the quest for better wildfire prevention methods. Key Highlights: Personal anecdotes from the Blue Ridge Fire. The motivation behind th...

In this episode, we have Nancy Watkins, an actuary with extensive experience in property casualty insurance and catastrophic risk analysis. The episode explores the challenges and strategies related to protecting properties against the threat of wildfires. Nancy P. Watkins is a principal and consulting actuary in Milliman's San Francisco office who leads a consulting practice that specializes in c...

In this episode of the All Things Wildfire podcast, the host welcomes Regan Brown, the founder and former CEO of G.B. Group General Contractors and Painting. They discuss the impact of wildfires, particularly on multi-family homes, condominiums, and townhomes. The conversation delves into fire investigations, common risks, and how construction defects can pose fire hazards. They emphasize the impo...

We're excited to bring you another insightful episode of the "All Things Wildfire" podcast, where we explore the latest trends in wildfires and how to protect your property against this ever-growing threat. In our latest episode, we have a special guest, Mr. Mike Thayer, a prominent figure in both the insurance and wildfire worlds. "NFPA Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist with eight years of...

In this episode, we had the privilege of hosting a true expert in the field, Mr. Bill Gatewood, the global practice leader at Burns & Wilcox, with over two decades of experience in the insurance industry. Bill takes us on a deep dive into the world of insurance, shedding light on the complexities and challenges associated with wildfires, insurance claims, disaster recovery, and more. Key Highlight...

We are thrilled to bring you a truly remarkable episode of the All Things Wildfire podcast that you won't want to miss. In this latest episode, we sit down with Annelise Cochran, a survivor of the devastating Lahaina wildfire in Hawaii, as she recounts her harrowing experience of courage, resilience, and unity in the face of disaster. The episode begins with the hosts introducing Annelise and expr...

Are you passionate about protecting lives and properties from the devastating impact of wildfires? Are you eager to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, innovations, and strategies to tackle this pressing issue? If so, we have great news for you! We are excited to introduce "All Things Wildfire," a groundbreaking podcast that delves deep into the world of wildfire protection, legislation, actua...

In this captivating episode, we have an expert guest, Alex Rosenfeld, from Hoffman Brown, who brings over two decades of experience in insurance and wildfire risk management. Alex shares invaluable insights on safeguarding high net worth properties against wildfires and discusses the latest trends in this vital area. Alex discusses various topics related to protecting properties against wildfires,...

We're thrilled to share with you our latest release, where we delve into the inspiring journey of disaster management with the incredible Michele Steinberg. In this episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Michele, an esteemed professional with a remarkable background in emergency management and disaster mitigation. From her experience as a regional flood plains manager to her current role a...

In our latest episode, prepare to be captivated as our hosts, OP Almaraz and the esteemed Ralph Bloemers, delve deep into the heart of the wildfire crisis. Brace yourself for an urgent and thought-provoking discussion that sheds light on the devastation of towns and the apparent helplessness we face in halting these relentless infernos. But fear not! Ralph Bloemers, the renowned Producer and CEO o...