When the Maui Wildfires Collapsed the Grid: Command, Chaos, and Critical Connectivity

What 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

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 Vandewege, General Manager at DTN Weather, and my co-host, Chief Kim "Chief Z" Zagaris. 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 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 line—and 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 we’re using data to solve these massive environmental threats, this one’s 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. Don’t 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.

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.