Wildfire Expert Keith Parker on ICS, Firefighting Evolution, and Leadership Lessons

Former Marin County Fire Marshal Keith Parker joins The Fire Break to reflect on 33 years in wildland fire. From the early days before ICS to today’s high-tech firefighting, Keith shares battle-tested wisdom on:

🚒 Crew safety & command
🛰️ Equipment evolution (dozers, aircraft, engines)
📻 ICS: flexibility vs. rigidity
🧭 What’s broken in fire investigation today
🌲 Fuel mitigation vs. community resistance
🧑‍🚒 Why we’re losing career firefighters—and how to fix it

Hosted by Steve Wolf | Sponsored by Team Wildfire

#Wildfire #Firefighting #ICS #TheFireBreak #KeithParker #TeamWildfire #FireInvestigation #WildlandFire

What if we could model the chemistry of wildfire down to the molecule—and stop it before it spreads? Nigerian wildfire researcher Abraham Zhiri joins Steve Wolf from Cambridge University to explore how fluid dynamics, heat equations, and detonation models are reshaping how we understand and suppress fire. Abraham shares his journey from the forests of Nigeria to a lab in the UK, where he's modeling the fine line between ignition and containment. Together, they unpack the fire triangle, the role of moisture, the surprising power of animal firebrands, and why removing heat might be our best suppression strategy. This episode dives deep into the science of wildfire—and offers a hopeful look at the math behind better outcomes.

Can a blanket help firefighters and first responders sleep better? Elizabeth Grojean, founder of Baloo Living, says yes—and the science backs her up.

Elizabeth Grojean left the corporate world for Bali and returned with a mission: to help people sleep better through the power of deep pressure touch. Her company, Baloo Living, makes weighted blankets designed to calm the nervous system and improve sleep quality—especially for those under extreme stress.

💤 Learn how weighted blankets trigger serotonin and melatonin production
🧠 Discover the link between deep pressure touch and reduced cortisol
🚒 Hear why first responders are especially vulnerable to sleep deprivation
📊 Explore the results of Baloo’s sleep study: 92% sleep efficiency, 27% faster sleep onset
🌿 Understand the importance of breathable, sustainable materials in sleep products
👶 Find out how toddlers and adults alike benefit from the "hug effect"

Elizabeth also shares her entrepreneurial journey, from a life-changing sabbatical in Bali to building a wellness brand that supports frontline workers and families alike.

🎁 First responders can use code THANKYOU20 at balooliving.com for 20% off.