2021 Wildfire Prevention Summit
May 4
9:00 am - 4:45 pm PST
Hosted by:
Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA)
Platinum Level Sponsor:
Gold Level Sponsors:
About the Summit
This is the first in a series of Wildfire Prevention Summits. This premiere event will examine the four primary causes (Arson, Accidental, Roadside & Utility Infrastructure) of wildfire ignitions with a focus on Roadside and Utility Infrastructure ignitions in the Western United States. The intent of the Summit is to provide a venue for an exchange of dialogue regarding current issues, best practices and emerging solutions on wildfire prevention. Our speakers and panels will provide a national perspective while discussing regional, statewide and local initiatives.
Fire safety professionals from around the world who are involved in wildfire protection and prevention are encouraged to attend this summit.
Schedule
Following is the current agenda for the 2021 Wildfire Prevention Summit. Updates to the agenda will be made in the coming weeks as we finalize on speakers and topics.
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Introductory comments 9:00 am
Bob Roper, Senior Policy Adviser, Western Fire Chiefs Association
Edward Goldberg, CEO, Perimeter Solutions -
Keynote: National perspective of the wildfire problem 9:15 am
Victoria Christiansen, USFS Chief
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Keynote: State perspective of the wildfire problem 9:30 am
Heath Flora, California Assemblyman (R-12)
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Case Study: Successful Collaborative Efforts 9:45 am
Michael O’Connell, President & CEO, Irvine Ranch Conservancy/COAST
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Scope of the wildfire problem defined, ignition causes/locations & the 2021 forecast 10:05 am
Daniel Berlant, Assistant Deputy Director, CAL FIRE
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Protecting firefighting personnel through the use of new preventative tools 10:30 am
Brian Rice, President, California Professional Firefighters
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Break 10:50 am
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Panel discussion of current efforts and challenges 11:00 am
Facilitator:
Bob Roper, Senior Policy Adviser, Western Fire Chiefs Association
Chief Brian Fennessy, Orange County
Thom Porter, Director, CAL FIRE
Randy Moore, Regional Forester, USFS -
Lunch Break 12:15 pm
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Review of western region best practices involving wildfire ignition prevention in the West 12:45 pm
Joe Stutler, Co- Chair, Western Regional Cohesive Strategy Committee
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USFS-National Research & Development Program – An overview of the program, discussion of innovations, and environmental effects analyses 1:10 pm
Shirley Zylstra, Program Manager, USFS Wildland Fire Chemicals System
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Keynote: Utility regulator perspective of the wildfire problem 1:35 pm
Caroline Thomas Jacobs, Director, Wildfire Safety Division, California Public Utility Commission
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BREAK 1:55 pm
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Panel discussion: Current efforts and challenges 2:05 pm
Facilitator: Wes Bolsen (Perimeter Solutions)
Sumeet Singh, Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, PG&E
Brian D’Agostino, Director of Fire Science and Climate Adaption, SDG&E
Donald Daigler, Director of Business Resiliency, SCE -
Arizona’s best practices in utility infrastructure safety 3:20 pm
Wade Ward, Certified Fire Mitigation Specialist, Arizona Public Service
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Rapid Fire Presentations: Review of emerging options addressing mitigation measures for utility and roadside ignitions:
- Electrical grid trouble detection
- Use of long-term retardants
- Early warning monitoring/detection options
Bob Marshall, Founder and CEO, Whisker Labs
Ron Raley, Agency Liaison, Perimeter Solutions
Robert Edson, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Intterra/ESRI -
Event Wrap Up 4:30 pm
Bob Roper, Senior Policy Adviser, Western Fire Chiefs Association
Edward Goldberg, CEO, Perimeter Solutions -
End 4:45 pm