Podcasts

Season 8 | Wildland Firefighting Professionals | Episode 7

#128 | We’re all connected in the world of wildland fire

February 12, 2020 | Katie Lighthall

Katie Lighthall is the Coordinator for the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy in the Western Region. She assists federal, state, local and Tribal agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations understand what the Cohesive Strategy is and how it can be useful to reduce risk across landscapes, in communities and for wildfire response. Katie holds […]

Season 8 | Wildland Firefighting Professionals | Episode 6

#127 | Wildland fire is tough but rewarding work

October 23, 2019 | Garth Fisher

Garth Fisher is the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Branch of Wildland Fire Management, National Training Director.  He currently also serves as the Chair and BIA Representative on the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.  Garth has 15 years of experience in wildland fire operations and wildland fire management. He began his career on a Type 2 handcrew and […]

Season 8 | Wildland Firefighting Professionals | Episode 5

#126 | Interagency cooperation starts before the fire begins

September 26, 2019 | John Miller

John Miller is the State Wildland Fire Chief for the Virginia Department of Forestry. As such, John is responsible for oversight and state-wide coordination of the agency’s wildfire control, emergency management, and prescribed burning programs. After earning his BS in forestry from Virginia Tech, John has been in state forestry for his entire 29-year career […]

Season 8 | Wildland Firefighting Professionals | Episode 4

#125 | Your weakest link is your strongest point

September 11, 2019 | Kristel Johnson

Kristel Johnson is the Support Services Program Leader for the USDA Forest Service. Kristel started her career in 1990 as a temporary firefighter and later attended the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Academy and more. In 2006, Kristel served as the Family Liaison for fallen colleague, Jess McLean, which introduced her to how the agency managed tragedy […]

Season 8 | Wildland Firefighting Professionals | Episode 3

#124 | Fire knows no boundaries, so we’re all on the same team

August 28, 2019 | Robyn Broyles

Robyn Broyles is the National Fire Communication and Education Specialist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, and she is a tribal member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. In Robyn’s role, she promotes the accomplishments in wildland fire management and aviation programs in “Indian Country.” In […]

Season 8 | Wildland Firefighting Professionals | Episode 2

#123 | In wildland fire, it’s all about interagency cooperation

August 14, 2019 | Dan Smith

Dan Smith is Fire Director for the National Association of State Foresters and the associations’s Wildland Fire Representative for 50 states and 8 territories at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. In this role, Dan works collaboratively with the Federal Wildland Fire Directors and serves as a member of the National Multi-Agency Coordination Group, […]

Season 8 | Wildland Firefighting Professionals | Episode 1

#122 | In wildland fire, once-in-a-lifetime experiences keep happening

July 31, 2019 | Brian Pisarek

Brian Pisarek is the Advanced Wildfire Instructor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and he is also the Fire Chief for the City of Aitkin, Minnesota. Brian has a B.S. in Forestry and has an extensive list of fire qualifications. In today’s episode, Brian shares a little bit about how to keep yourself safe […]