What happens when a coastal paradise gets redrawn as wildfire territory? Santa Monica Fire Marshal Joe Cavin reveals how wildfire rezoning, emergency evacuations, and fire-hardened building codes are transforming one of California’s most iconic cities.

Cavin discusses the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, the scramble to relocate five displaced schools, and the controversial rollout of the Fire Hazard Severity Zones—which now include parts of Santa Monica for the first time ever. From one-way street evacuations and red flag warnings to insurance chaos, looting fears, and single stairwell construction debates, this episode uncovers the tough calls and fast pivots behind urban fire protection.

Whether you're a city official, a firefighter, or a homeowner facing rising fire risk, Joe’s ground-level insights and straight talk will leave you thinking differently about what it takes to keep a city standing when the ember storm hits.

Discover how AI and satellites are transforming wildfire detection with OroraTech CEO Thomas Grübler. Grübler talks about OroraTech’s global satellite constellation, real-time fire mapping, and predictive modeling that’s helping fire agencies around the world act faster and smarter. From launching 10 satellites to mapping fires the size of a car, Grübler shares how this tech is already saving lives—and what’s next for their U.S. expansion. Tune in for a fascinating look at how space, sensors, and strategy are changing the fight against fire.

How do wildfires ignite buildings? Fire engineer Dr. Eleni Asimakopoulou reveals how structure design, facade materials, and wind patterns turn a wildfire into an urban disaster. In this global edition of The Fire Break, she joins Steve Wolf to discuss how her research uses fire dynamics simulations, AI modeling, and lab experiments to understand flame spread—and how the next generation of engineers might stop it. If you’ve ever wondered why some homes burn and others survive, this episode breaks it down.

Wildfire disasters are accelerating as ecosystems collapse — Dr. Tracy Fanara explains why. Dive into how climate change, poor building practices, and ecological imbalance are fueling wildfire devastation. Explore how smarter science, better communication, and real prevention strategies could save lives and protect communities.

Discover how AI wildfire mitigation software is changing the game, with Australia’s Fi-Sci founders Matt Robards and Kevin Bonner— two innovators using machine learning and risk modeling to tackle wildfires before they even start. Learn how they’re optimizing fuel load reduction, prescribed burns, smoke control, and prevention strategies to protect lives and infrastructure. Plus, hear personal stories from the fireground, why they focus on mitigation instead of suppression, and how visualization helps communities and governments understand the value of “good fire.”

Firefighter training, leadership development, and emergency service education come together in this episode with Marc Hill — fire chief, paramedic, educator, and author of Two Dark Thirty. Marc discusses how to effectively train firefighters for high-stress calls and real-world scenarios. From teaching adult learners to leading with purpose, Marc shares practical tools and hilarious (and heartbreaking) stories from a lifetime in the service. Whether you're a fire instructor, a first responder, or just passionate about public safety, this episode delivers hard-won insights for teaching and leading when lives are on the line.

https://twodarkthirty.com/

Firefighter PTSD, adrenaline addiction, and burnout are more common than ever—psychologist Dr. Erica Birkley explains why, and what first responders can do about it. In this candid, eye-opening episode, Dr. Birkley breaks down the hidden emotional toll of life on shift, how trauma sticks in the body, why sleep disruption rewires your brain, and what “emotional decontamination” really looks like after a hard call. She also dives into relationship strain, infidelity, and the neuroscience behind connection—and offers simple, actionable tools to reset your nervous system, reconnect at home, and stay mission-ready for the long haul. Whether you’re a first responder or you care about someone who is, this is essential viewing.

Leadership coaching, team performance, and behavioral change — Greg Zimbulis brings 25+ years of experience helping businesses grow by fixing what matters most: leadership. In this episode, he shares how self-awareness, role modeling, and curiosity are the foundations of true influence. Whether you're running a fire agency or a family business, Greg’s insights will reshape how you lead, build trust, and spark change.