How Small Fire Departments Can Survive Big Wildfires | Chief Dave Robertson

How can small fire departments survive big wildfires? Chief Dave Robertson is a veteran fire officer with deep experience in both California and Canada. From Napa County to Toronto, Chief Robertson has seen the limits of our current fire response—and he's here to talk about what needs to change.

Why are most departments unprepared for today’s wildfire scale?

Is AI the answer, or do we still need human intuition on the line?
How do we fight firefighter complacency—and hire for character, not just resume?

Whether you're a firefighter, policymaker, or wildfire tech innovator, this conversation reveals hard truths, smart strategies, and inspiring stories—including how small towns can prepare for big disasters. Plus: should robots help us fight fire? And what does leadership really look like when the smoke rolls in?