CAL FIRE Presents: Inside the State Fire Marshal's Office

Wildfire Preparedness Starts at Home - The Science Behind Wildfire Resilient Homes & Communities

Featuring Frank Bigelow, CAL FIRE Deputy Director of Community Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation and Steve Hawks, Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety Senior Director for Wildfire. California’s peak wildfire season is approaching, and preparation starts at home. In this episode of Inside the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Deputy Director Frank Bigelow joins Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety Senior Director for Wildfire Steve Hawks for a grounded, practical conversation on what every Californian can do today to reduce wildfire risk. Together, they break down the essentials of defensible space, home hardening, and the small steps that make a big difference in protecting your property and community. From clearing the first five feet around your home to understanding how embers ignite structures, the episode gives listeners clear, science‑backed actions they can take right now. This is a must‑listen for anyone looking to strengthen their wildfire preparedness and help build more resilient communities across California. Full transcript available: https://calfire.box.com/s/6o69vhr01m03mfz9cjhiyi9czsbw08zj

Why Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction Matters – Conversation with the State Fire Marshal

CAL FIRE Presents: Inside the State Fire Marshal’s Office is your inside look at the people, programs, and partnerships shaping fire prevention and community risk reduction (CRR) across California and beyond. Hosted by Tim Spears, Assistant Deputy Director and Kara Garrett, Deputy State Fire Marshal III Specialist, this podcast series brings you conversations with experts, innovators, and leaders driving change in fire and life safety.   In this episode, we sit down with California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant to explore why fire prevention and CRR truly matter—not just in wildfire-prone regions, but in every community. We’ll discuss the critical role of the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the stakes of prioritizing prevention, and how California is leading the way through policy, technology, and collaboration. From building codes and defensible space to public education and equity, learn how prevention saves lives and builds resilience.   Whether you’re a fire service professional, policymaker, or community member, this conversation will inspire you to see prevention as a shared responsibility. Subscribe and join us as we work toward a safer, stronger future, because prevention starts with all of us. Full transcript available: https://calfire.box.com/s/x7251i3a2jx5lm7tbxlfbj5dv69akjfj

Coming Soon: Inside the State Fire Marshal's Office

Join us for CAL FIRE's upcoming podcast, "Inside the State Fire Marshal's Office." Join hosts Tim Spears and Kara Garrett, along with a variety of guests, as they explore the life-saving work performed each day by the men and women of the CAL FIRE - Office of the State Fire Marshal. Be sure to like, subscribe, and follow for new episodes!