The Hotshot Wake Up

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Supt. Series: Scott Gorman, Former Dalton Hotshot Superintendent And Current Orange County Superintendent. 27 years of experience, the industry, the Agencies, wildfire, and tragedy. Dec 12, 2024

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Today, I welcome Scott Gorman, who ran the Dalton Hotshots before making the jump to Orange County to run Santiago Crew 1. Scott started his career in 1995 and was motivated to challenge himself and pursue a wildfire career after finding a mentor in an El Cariso Hotshot who ran his Americorp crew. Through the apprenticeship program, he soon found himself on Dalton Hotshots and worked his way up the ranks, ultimately taking the crew over in 2017.

After a long time with the Fed fire agencies, he made the decision to move to Orange County to run Santiago Crew 1, where he continues his work today. We discuss his career, his decision to leave the Feds, and the ongoing issues we see today that he tried to address with his time on planning committees and as superintendent. He faced the same roadblocks many experience today.

We also discuss what it’s like to take on the role of superintendent, looking out for your people, building a culture, and dealing with the inevitable tragedies that firefighters face along the way.

A very timely and important conversation.

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Wildfire Pay Bill: I Welcome The President Of The Forest Service Council And NFFE Western Region National Business Representative. Full update on the vote and what firefighters can expect. Dec 07, 2024

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The President of the Forest Service Council, Andy Vanderheuel, and the Western Region National Business Representative for NFFE, Matt Brossard, join me in discussing the upcoming vote for the permanent wildfire pay legislation.
We discuss the upcoming vote, what’s in the Bill, and what wildland firefighters can expect regarding actual wages earned.
We cover the upcoming administration and what that looks like.
They discuss possible early retirements could be coming.
We cover Hazard Pay for Prescribed burns and where that stands, plus other initiatives that are lined up.
Also, CAL FIRE and local police arrested two arson suspects in 48 hours who are responsible for 10+ wildfires.
Red Flags and Santa Ana winds are returning to Southern California later this week.
Plus more.

Smoke Exposure, Wildland Firefighters, And Fertility: Dr. Luke Montrose Discusses His New Study Focusing On This Issue. How does wildfire smoke affect your reproductive health? Oct 26, 2024

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Today, I welcome Dr. Luke Montrose, assistant professor of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences at Colorado State University. His work focuses on the health effects of wildfire smoke, and he studies how human behaviors and environment affect the way our bodies read DNA.

We discuss his ongoing study, which focuses directly on wildland firefighters and their reproductive health when exposed to prolonged durations of wildfire smoke.

Montrose’s lab investigates wildfire smoke effects “from cell to society” and translates findings to assist vulnerable populations in identifying mitigation strategies that limit exposure impacts. Further, the lab looks beyond the lung to understand how other sensitive organs – like the brain and reproductive system – are affected.

Montrose earned his B.S. in biology at Heidelberg University and his Ph.D. in environmental toxicology at the University of Montana. He completed his postdoctoral studies at the University of Michigan and began his career as faculty at Boise State University.

Chief Brian Fennessy: President Of The California Fire Chiefs Association And Head Of Orange County Fire Authority. The Forest Service Aviation Policies, Workforce Shortages, Arsonists, and More. Oct 19, 2024

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I am honored to welcome Chief Brian Fennessy, who has a long and distinguished wildfire career that has led him to become President of the California Fire Chiefs Association (CalChiefs) and Chief of the Orange County Fire Authority.

We had a very candid conversation about the ongoing issues with the Forest Service’s aviation supervisor policy that made the news last week. Chief Fennessey lays out what he is seeing on the ground and asks the important question of why now.

We discussed how the workforce shortage, wage issues, and policy issues affect everyone in the field and the communities surrounding our forests. I also asked him about the arson fires in California, the Park Fire this year being the fourth largest in California’s history, and why we are seeing an increase in this criminal behavior.

Chief Fennessy began his career in 1978 with the US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service and the US Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management as a Hotshot crewmember, Helitack Captain, and ultimately crew superintendent.

This was an incredible conversation, and I thank Chief Fennessey for taking the time to come on the show.

Hiker Charged In Oregon After Rescue Fires Turned Into Wildfires. Is Bridger Aerospace Under Attack? 2 California Congress members write FS Chief Moore, adding to the list. Oct 18, 2024

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The Wall Street Journal published an article claiming that Bridger Aerospace is being attacked by predatory short sellers and political opponents.
I cover that story and reached out to the parties involved, Montana Senator Jon Tester and Bridger Aerospace Founder and Senate candidate Tim Sheehy, to get their comments on the matter.
A hiker in Oregon lit multiple fires after getting lost in the forest. These turned into wildfires, and the hiker has since been charged.
2 California members of Congress have joined the growing list of elected officials writing the Chief of the Forest Service. They are asking for answers about recently interpreted policy that has affected wildfire efforts in California.
There have been multiple tree strikes this month on wildfires and again during the hurricane relief efforts. There have also been other injury reports.
Full operational update.
Plus more.

A Conversation With FiredUp Partners: What To Expect From The Paycheck Protection Act, The Struggles Of Fire Families, And How To Help. Oct 12, 2024

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I welcome the founders of FiredUp Partners, a wildfire advocacy group working to advance real solutions for wildland firefighters nationwide. They have recently returned from Washington, D.C., where they worked on the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act, better housing, benefits, and more. We discuss the realities of working with Congress and the Agencies right now and what the future looks like.

It’s a straightforward, candid conversation about what firefighters and their families can expect from the WFFPPA and the many hurdles to getting to where we are today. We also talk about fire families' struggles while their partners are away for the season and the very real struggles when they return home.

We get into so much, and it was great to have Janelle and Lacey on the show. They are both married to wildland firefighters and know the ups and downs of what that entails. That’s precisely why they have taken the steps to create FiredUp Partners to advocate for all the wildfire families out there.

A Wild Week Of Fires. Crews Stranded, Civilians Injured, And Multiple Safety Zones Used. Crazy Stories From This Busy Week. California Fire Chiefs Battle The Forest Service Over Aviation. Oct 06, 2024

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Extreme fire behavior continues across the United States.
Firefighters stranded after a bridge burned over. Multiple fires had firefighters moving into safety zones due to fire behavior.
Fires in Idaho burned 12+ miles in just hours; Wyoming fires merge, burn through subdivisions, and injure civilians.
All while resources are limited and have begun shutting down for the season.
Update on Orange County firefighters injured in the Airport Fire, and an injury update on Idaho firefighter struck by a tree.
California Fire Chiefs take the Forest Service to task over aviation resources and nighttime supervisory platforms.
They wrote to Congress and asked them to investigate. They blame tensions that remain from the Caldor Fire between the Forest Service and night-capable aviation.
Full operational update.
Plus more.

Former Hotshot And Smokejumper Jessie Thomas: Sustainable Health And Nutrition Into The Off-Season, And Raising A Fire Family. Sep 28, 2024

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Today, I welcome Jessie Thomas of Sustainable Wellness. Jesse has a wealth of knowledge and experience as a former Lolo and Flathead Hotshot turned Missoula Smokejumper of 8 years. We discuss reviving your gut health after fire season, maintaining your physical and mental health to allow for a long and successful fire career, raising kids in a fire family, and a whole lot more.

Jessie, founder of Missoula, Montana’s Sustainable Wellness, has always loved the feeling of reaching a mountain summit with her own two feet. As a former smokejumper, present day skier, and mountain-adventure-seeker, Jessie knows the health of the human body over a lifespan is determined by what we eat and how we live.

A fantastic conversation.

Mass Casualty Incident After Crew Buggy Rollover In California. 6 Firefighters in Critical Condition. The Forest Service All Employees Call Details. Sep 20, 2024

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While traveling after a shift on The Airport Fire, a crew buggy rolled over on a California Freeway.
They swerved to avoid a ladder that was in the middle of their lane—8 total injuries, with six firefighters in critical condition.
I cover the Forest Service’s all employee call this week.
They discussed the cuts to the seasonal workforce, training budgets, and what they expect Congress to do.
They expect significant budget cuts and are doing what they can to continue to pay current employees while making hiring cuts to non-fire employees.
Canada lowers the age of retirement for wildland firefighters in British Columbia.
It's a huge step forward.
Plus more.

Arsonist Impersonating Firefighters And Law Enforcement Charged In Colorado. The Arsonist Personally Tried Contacting Me. Your fireline etiquette responses. Sep 14, 2024

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Investigation into the nearly 10,000-acre Alexander Fire leads to arrest in Colorado.
The suspect was allegedly impersonating a firefighter and law enforcement. He was pulling people over, pulling weapons, and driving around in a fake fire department truck.
The suspect personally contacted me on social media after the fire started—an insane story.
Firefighter found unresponsive in Oregon after found sleeping in an unventilated tent with a “heating device.”
You fireline etiquette responses. You all have the same complaints, and I cover them.
Plus more.

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