PODCAST

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video)

Public Safety Broadband Technology Association

science earth sciences

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45:42

When the Maui Wildfires Collapsed the Grid: Command,...

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video) ·

2026/08/08

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

45:14

Catching Wildfire: Advancing Weather Intelligence for...

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video) ·

2026/07/13

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 Vandeweg, General Manager at DTN Weather, and my co-host, Chief Kim "Chief Z" Zagaras. We’re 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

2:01

PSBTA: Honoring 250 Years of Service and Safety

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video) ·

2026/07/02

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 today’s 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

38:16

Innovating Incident Command with Tablet Command...

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video) ·

2026/06/15

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

41:08

The Future of Resilience

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video) ·

2026/05/18

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 economic and physical scale of the problem. Solving this crisis requires moving beyond mere visceral

32:00

Autonomous Wildfire Response: Bridging the Gap...

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video) ·

2026/05/01

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 in the fire service: adoption. Join hosts Chief Jeff Johnson and Chief Kim Zagaras as they break

48:40

Satellites Revolutionize Wildfire Management

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video) ·

2026/03/24

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 digital infrastructure are coming together to support beneficial fire practices, strengthen community

34:48

PSBTA Catching Wildfire Episode 6: Revolutionizing...

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video) ·

2026/02/10

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 communications company. By integrating the "Zonehaven" platform, they provide a seamless flow of information

43:56

PSBTA Catching Wildfire Episode 5: Leadership,...

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video) ·

2025/12/05

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 wisdom from seasoned fire service leaders. It underscores the idea that while the core mission of

32:22

PSBTA: 🚨 Catching Wildfire – Episode 4: Sonim...

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video) ·

2025/11/07

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 FirstNet-enabled devices Introduction of the XP Pro Thermal with FLIR imaging for hotspot detection

31:26

PSBTA: Catching Wildfire - Summit Special Edition

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video) ·

2025/10/14

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

41:39

PSBTA: Catching Wildfire - Episode 3

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video) ·

2025/10/13

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 importance of developing and mentoring the next generation of talent in the fire service. Chief Dave

42:22

PSBTA: Catching Wildfire - Episode 2

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video) ·

2025/10/08

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. About David Blankinship: David has over 25 years of experience in Public Safety. He started in the

36:17

PSBTA: Catching Wildfire - Episode 1

PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video) ·

2025/10/08

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 ALERTCalifornia program at the University of California San Diego, where he is a professor of geology and

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PSBTA Presents: Catching Wildfire (Video)

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