About CAL FIRE Presents: Inside the State Fire Marshal's Office
Join hosts Tim Spears and Kara Garrett, along with a variety of guests, as they explore the life-saving work performed each day by the men and women of the CAL FIRE - Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Be sure to like, subscribe, and follow for new episodes!
In this episode of Inside the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Tim Spears and Kara Garrett sit down with (tag)Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Director Katherine Butler to talk about one of California’s fastest growing safety concerns: lithium-ion battery fires. Learn what causes them, how to spotwarning signs, which devices pose the biggest risks, and the simple charging and disposal habits that can help prevent emergencies.
Hear how CAL FIRE and DTSC are partnering to protect communities statewide andhow California is leading the way in safer battery design and recycling.
Full transcript available here (https://calfire.box.com/s/f51gr7btrax6f6gxxmd10dfm290lr0tm)
26 Jun 2026
Keeping the Fourth of July Safe - Fireworks Laws, Burn Prevention & Expert Insights
Keep the sparkle in your celebration, without the risk.
Join us for a special two‑part episode exploring the work behind fireworks safety in California.
Part One: Division Chief Brice Bennett from CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal breaks down how fireworks are regulated, investigated, and enforced statewide all year long .
Part Two: Dr. Kathleen Romanowski from Shriners Children’s Northern California shares medical insights on burn prevention, the injuries hospitals see this time of year, and simple choices that help keep families safe.
Whether you’re celebrating, educating, or enforcing, this episode gives you the knowledge you need to create a safer, more responsible holiday.
Full transcript available: https://calfire.box.com/s/0rpixfffqvmptaat37l61yzrvsr49iju
19 May 2026
Wildfire Preparedness Starts at Home - The Science Behind Wildfire Resilient Homes & Communities
Featuring Frank Bigelow, CAL FIRE Deputy Director of Community Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation and Steve Hawks, Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety Senior Director for Wildfire.
California’s peak wildfire season is approaching, and preparation starts at home. In this episode of Inside the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Deputy Director Frank Bigelow joins Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety Senior Director for Wildfire Steve Hawks for a grounded, practical conversation on what every Californian can do today to reduce wildfire risk.
Together, they break down the essentials of defensible space, home hardening, and the small steps that make a big difference in protecting your property and community. From clearing the first five feet around your home to understanding how embers ignite structures, the episode gives listeners clear, science‑backed actions they can take right now.
This is a must‑listen for anyone looking to strengthen their wildfire preparedness and help build more resilient communities across California.
Full transcript available: https://calfire.box.com/s/6o69vhr01m03mfz9cjhiyi9czsbw08zj
12 Feb 2026
Why Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction Matters – Conversation with the State Fire Marshal
CAL FIRE Presents: Inside the State Fire Marshal’s Office is your inside look at the people, programs, and partnerships shaping fire prevention and community risk reduction (CRR) across California and beyond. Hosted by Tim Spears, Assistant Deputy Director and Kara Garrett, Deputy State Fire Marshal III Specialist, this podcast series brings you conversations with experts, innovators, and leaders driving change in fire and life safety.
In this episode, we sit down with California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant to explore why fire prevention and CRR truly matter—not just in wildfire-prone regions, but in every community. We’ll discuss the critical role of the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the stakes of prioritizing prevention, and how California is leading the way through policy, technology, and collaboration. From building codes and defensible space to public education and equity, learn how prevention saves lives and builds resilience.
Whether you’re a fire service professional, policymaker, or community member, this conversation will inspire you to see prevention as a shared responsibility. Subscribe and join us as we work toward a safer, stronger future, because prevention starts with all of us.
Full transcript available: https://calfire.box.com/s/x7251i3a2jx5lm7tbxlfbj5dv69akjfj
22 Jan 2026
Coming Soon: Inside the State Fire Marshal's Office
Join us for CAL FIRE's upcoming podcast, "Inside the State Fire Marshal's Office."
Join hosts Tim Spears and Kara Garrett, along with a variety of guests, as they explore the life-saving work performed each day by the men and women of the CAL FIRE - Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Be sure to like, subscribe, and follow for new episodes!
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