The Hotshot Wake Up

On Today’s Show, https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I have on Doug Cote to discuss the record-breaking wildfire season in Canada. Doug has a long and extensive wildfire career, including smoke jumping in the Yukon, and now his career is focused on prescribed fire and aerial ignition work in the Northern Boreal forests and working with Indigenous communities to bolster burn programs. We discuss the wild year that Canada had and what that looked like from the ground. We cover the tactics used up North and the reality of leaving fires over a million acres unstaffed or with limited staffing. We cover the ever-growing cross-border resource sharing that took place with Hotshot crews and teams, and like myself, Doug sees this as an increasing trend. We also talk about the unprecedented line-of-duty deaths that took place this year in Canada and how they can learn and understand why these took place. A fascinating conversation. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.

On today’s show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I welcome Kelly Martin to discuss the new Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission’s report to Congress, everything happening with the workforce, legislation, and beneficial fire. The Presidential Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission was established in 2022. Kelly was one of 500 applicants who applied to voluntarily serve on this 50-member Commission. She was selected to fill the primary seat representing Wildland Firefighters. Kelly’s 35-year federal career as a wildland firefighter provided invaluable technical and subject matter expertise to the Commission, ultimately obtaining unanimous consensus on comprehensive workforce reforms (see recommendations 84-103 in the Commission report). Kelly is also the co-founder and past President of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the public, agency officials, and members of congress with real life lived experiences to promote urgent modernization reforms for the federal wildland fire program. Her organization provides education and advocates on behalf of thousands of federal wildland firefighters. She is also a current Burn Boss for The Nature Conservancy (TNC), mentoring and coaching other TNC employees and nonprofit organizations to help them become more skilled and proficient in applying “good fire” on the landscape. Her current work includes providing leadership for the Women-in-Fire Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (WTREX) and other Training Exchanges (TREX) events throughout the US. Beginning in 2024 Kelly will begin her 2 year tenure as President of the International Association of Wildland Fire, a group she has been working with for close to 10 years. IAWF is dedicated to uniting the global wildland fire community in sharing knowledge and expertise through conferences, workshops, and creating position papers relative to contemporary wildland fire issues. Kelly has extensive experience as a field practitioner serving as a Complex Burn Boss; Fire Behavior Analyst; Operations Section Chief and has served on Type 1 and Type 2 Interagency Incident Management Teams for over 20 years. Her capstone career promotion was becoming and the first female and one of the longest-serving Chief Fire and Aviation Management Officer at Yosemite National Park from 2006-2019. It’s a fantastic conversation.

Today, https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ We discuss solutions to combat depression and relationship struggles, communication tips for both families and first responders, and ways to transition back to home life successfully. We also have a conversation about the very different struggles women and men have when working in this industry and for their loved ones. When it comes to guys and gals, the contrasting struggles will surprise many, even those who are first responders. We discuss how to manage these distinct issues and the obstacles they create at home and in relationships. At the end of the episode, Destiny takes us through a breathing exercise and short meditation that you can use in your personal life. I hope you all enjoy it.

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ After the Wildfire Commission Report, Wildfire Tech Companies started calling for a “new workforce.” What does that mean, and is it needed? With 3 years of horrible retention and recruitment, why the shift now? AI wildfire data companies say our forests only have 10 years until they go away. Overblown predictions? Wildfire wage funding update. As predicted, war will likely save this Bill. Full operational update. Plus more. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.

On Today’s show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I am happy to have Mental Health Counselor and Educator Dani Shedden. We discuss the process of reintegrating back into the “real world” after a wildfire season, bad habits to recognize, and solutions for first responders who are struggling. We also talk about the family side of things and what friends and loved ones can expect, the struggles they have, and communication methods to help their firefighters through this process. It is a great conversation that’s an excellent listen for any first responder and their friends and family. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Prescribed burns are being rushed and crews shutting down early heading into a potential Government Shutdown. Congress members make a last stand to try and pass the wildland firefighter pay legislation. Original investors in Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity provide funding for AI autonomous helicopter systems. Is Elon about to jump head-first into the wildfire industry? Lockheed Martin joins forces with CalFire in a marriage of the military-industrial complex and wildfire. Congressman Tom McClintock pushes forward legislation to put out fires immediately and limit managed fires across the country. Full operational update. Plus more. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Full operation update. Fires start to wind down around the nation. Canada continues to be active. I cover the multiple tree strikes that recently happened in the Pacific Northwest on wildfires. One firefighter was struck in the head, and another was struck while escaping the falling tree, striking their hip. Governments decide to go all in on AI systems while abandoning their workforce. Canada welcomes new AI swarm systems and brings in Microsoft to solve detection problems. Microsoft says Canada and the U.S. can save money with their AI detection systems by replacing humans… California begs insurance companies to come back to the State. They sweeten the deal by allowing them to increase rates up to 200% in some rural communities and seemingly allowing them to use Wild Fire Risk Maps to set rates… Something I predicted two years ago. THIS IS A BIG DEAL. Plus more. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more. The Hotshot Wake Up is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Firefighters with NFFE sit down for a roundtable conversation about the Paycheck Protection Act. We discuss the upcoming vote, how to support it, and what’s in it. They were very honest and open about the next steps involved, what comes after getting this passed, and the future of the Tim Hart Act. This conversation includes former Hotshots, Smokejumpers, Engine Captains, and more. I appreciate their openness about this process, the obstacles that have slowed things down, and the positive outlook moving forward. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Jason Forthofer joins us to talk about what’s happening at the Missoula Fire Sciences Lab in Montana. Jason is an Engineer, Researcher, and wildland firefighter with robust on-the-ground and operational experience. We dive into new tools and tech coming out of the Fire Lab, how AI can be used and its shortcomings, as well as how to find a career in this field. A very illuminating and valuable conversation. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.

On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ While investigating a wildfire in California, authorities find a body. This leads to multiple murder charges and reveals a web of crimes that led to a large wildfire. FEMA says they have run out of money. Demands more money as they cut off past relief to wildfire victims. They blame wildfires and an unprecedented disaster season. Full operational update, including new details in Lahaina, Maui. Plus more. THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all the content we provide. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, entered into our giveaways, recipes, and more.