Join podcast hosts Chief Jeff Johnson (Ret.) and Chief Kim Zagaris (Ret.) as they are joined by experts in the field of preventing and fighting wildfires.
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When the Maui Wildfires Collapsed the Grid: Command, Chaos, and Critical Connectivity, Episode 12
When the Maui Wildfires Collapsed the Grid: Command, Chaos, and Critical ConnectivityWhat 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 through his own backyard.From the physical trauma of first responders losing their own homes to the rapid deployment of FirstNet deployables (CRDs) for emergency communications, this discussion outlines the critical gaps in modern disaster response. Discover how unprecedented local resilience and breaking down deep-seated institutional silos through unified police and fire training are rewriting the emergency management playbook.Learn more about the PSBTA and critical public safety advocacy at https://thepsbta.org/Learn more about FirstNet at www.allthingsfirstnet.com#FirstResponders #PublicSafety #MauiWildfires #FirstNet #EmergencyManagement #CriticalConnectivity #CatchingWildfire #PSBTA
13 Jul 2026
Catching Wildfire: Advancing Weather Intelligence for Public Safety, Episode 11
Wildfire isnāt just a "West Coast issue" anymoreāitās a growing threat thatās spreading across the entire country. But how do we actually stay ahead of it?In this episode of Catching Wildfire, Iām sitting down with Renny Vandeweg, General Manager at DTN Weather, and my co-host, Chief Kim "Chief Z" Zagaras. Weāre diving deep into the massive technological shift happening in public safety.We move past the old-school methods of fire tracking and look at how modern AI, high-res atmospheric modeling, and satellite data are actually being used by utilities, insurance, and fire agencies to predict wildfire impact before the first spark even happens. We also discuss why all that fancy tech is useless if you don't have reliable connectivity on the fire lineāand why the human element (that "gut instinct") is still the most important part of the job.Whether you're in the fire service, working in public safety, or just curious about how weāre using data to solve these massive environmental threats, this oneās for you.Topics covered:- Why wildfire risk is changing and spreading nationwide.-The difference between just "forecasting weather" and "predicting impact."- How AI is helping us model fire spread with insane precision.- The critical role of connectivity (like FirstNet) in getting info to the front lines.- Why the "old ways" of observing the weather still matter.Thanks for tuning in. Donāt forget to like and subscribe for more conversations on the future of fire safety and technology!For more information about FirstNet, visit www.allthingsfirstnet.com and subscribe to the newsletter.#CatchingWildfire #WildfirePrevention #PublicSafety #WeatherIntelligence #FireService #EmergencyManagement #TechInPublicSafety #FirstNet #FireSafety #ClimateResilience #Innovation
2 Jul 2026
PSBTA: Honoring 250 Years of Service and Safety
As we celebrate 250 years of the United States of America, we take time to honor the legacy of public safety. From the earliest watchmen and volunteer fire brigades to todayās highly trained law enforcement, fire, EMS, and emergency management professionals, public safety has continually evolved to meet the needs of a growing nation.Across every generation, people have recognized a need and stepped forward to fill it, all in the service of protecting others. Few examples embody that spirit more than the visionaries who recognized that public safety needed its own dedicated broadband network.This brief video traces the origins of FirstNet from the earliest belief that āthere has to be a better way,ā through its evolution into reality. The creation of FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network, stands as a historic milestone. One made possible only through the unprecedented unity of police, fire, and EMS organizations speaking with one voice to improve public safety communications. #PublicSafety #FirstNet #EmergencyCommunications #FireEMS #LawEnforcement #PublicSafetyBroadband #Connectivity #Innovation #Unity #USA250 #PSBTA #FirstResponders
15 Jun 2026
Innovating Incident Command with Tablet Command Episode 10
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 drastically reduces the cognitive load on incident commanders. From its origins following a tragic line-of-duty death to becoming a critical "single pane of glass" for modern firefighters, Will explains how the platform integrates CAD, vehicle location, drone feeds, and mapping into one actionable interface.In this episode, we cover:- The Origin Story: How a 2007 tragedy sparked the need for better accountability and digital incident management.Reducing Cognitive Load: Moving from manual whiteboards and memory-based management to intuitive, drag-and-drop digital command.- The Power of Integration: How Tablet Command aggregates data from CAD, AVL, and partner technologies to provide a real-time "common operating picture."- The Future of Fire Tech: Updates on WatchDuty partnerships, AI in incident reporting, and the importance of cross-agency interoperability.The Human Element: Why technology in public safety must be reliable, intuitive, and focused on keeping crews safe.-This is a must-watch for incident commanders, battalion chiefs, and anyone interested in the future of public safety technology.About the Guest:Will Pigeon is the Co-Founder and CEO of Tablet Command, a software platform designed to simplify incident command and improve situational awareness for emergency responders.Subscribe to the Catching Wildfire Podcast for more insights on technology and public safety.#Firefighting #PublicSafety #IncidentCommand #TabletCommand #Wildfire #FirstNet #FireService #EmergencyResponse #FireTech #Leadership #WildlandFirefighting #Technology
18 May 2026
The Future of Resilience
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. Itās no longer just a wildland issue; itās an urban conflagration problem. The current approach to wildfire management is struggling to address the escalating economic and physical scale of the problem. Solving this crisis requires moving beyond mere visceral reactions to fire. By integrating engineering principles into urban planning and prioritizing systemic radiation breaks, stakeholders can create a more sustainable environment that effectively bridges the gap between the limitations of current firefighting capabilities and the growing vulnerability of the built environment.Weāre joined by David Torgerson, CEO of Wildfire Defense Systems, to discuss:š„ The science of urban conflagration and radiation-driven fire spread.š Why traditional insurance modeling is failing and how the market is shifting.š”ļø How "pre-suppression" tactics are giving communities a fighting chance.šļø Why the future of fire safety depends on engineering and smart urban planning, not just water and hoses.This is a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of emergency management, property insurance, and community resilience.Learn more about PSBTA at www.thepsbta.org#Wildfire #FireSafety #Insurance #EmergencyManagement #UrbanPlanning #PublicSafety #WildfireDefense #Infrastructure #Resilience #CatchingWildfire #psbta
1 May 2026
Autonomous Wildfire Response: Bridging the Gap Between Tech and Adoption
Could autonomous aircraft change the way we fight wildfires? šš„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 in the fire service: adoption.Join hosts Chief Jeff Johnson and Chief Kim Zagaras as they break down the roadmap for bringing this life-saving technology from the lab to the frontlines of our forests.Key Topics Covered:- Why "Autonomy" does not mean "Uncrewed"- The history of aviation innovation in the fire service- Overcoming the "Chicken and Egg" procurement problem- How we can safely integrate new tech into existing air traffic proceduresGuest: Maxwell Brodie, Founder of RAINHosts: Jeff Johnson (Retired Fire Chief) & Chief Kim Zagaras (Senior Policy Adviser, WFCA)#Wildfire #Firefighting #AutonomousTechnology #Innovation #FirstResponders #Aviation #FireSafety #FutureOfTech #psbta #PublicSafety
24 Mar 2026
Satellites Revolutionize Wildfire Management
Discover how cuttingāedge satellite technology is reshaping the future of wildland fire management. This episode dives into the shift from basic fire detection to advanced intensity assessmentāunlocking proactive strategies, smarter decisionāmaking, and unprecedented situational awareness for fire professionals.
10 Feb 2026
PSBTA Catching Wildfire Episode 6: Revolutionizing Evacuation Management with Genasys
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.
5 Dec 2025
PSBTA Catching Wildfire Episode 5: Leadership, Technology, and the Future of the Fire Service
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
7 Nov 2025
PSBTA: šØ Catching Wildfire ā Episode 4: Sonim Technologies & the Future of Public Safety š„
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 Sonimās ultra-rugged mobile devices are transforming wildfire response and public safety communications.
14 Oct 2025
PSBTA: Catching Wildfire - Summit Special Edition
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 Authority).This special edition podcast focuses on the origins of the FirstNet technical vision, the interactions and expectations between FirstNet, Built with AT&T and the FirstNet Authority to manage responses to wildfires, how the sustainable FirstNet reinvestment model ensures service and expansion of the network, and future forward actions benefitting public safety.To learn more about FirstNet, Built with AT&T, please visit www.firstnet.comTo learn more about the FirstNet Authority, please visit www.firstnet.gov#firstnet #wildfire #psbta #FNA #publicsafety
13 Oct 2025
PSBTA: Catching Wildfire - Episode 3
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 importance of developing and mentoring the next generation of talent in the fire service.
8 Oct 2025
PSBTA: Catching Wildfire - Episode 2
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 Emergentās fire apparatus hotspots and architectural design are making a difference in the fire industry.
8 Oct 2025
PSBTA: Catching Wildfire - Episode 1
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.
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