

The Hotshot Wake Up
The Hotshot Wake Up
A podcast and newsletter by firefighters about wildfire and the world. Crew Supervisor and Ex Hotshot overhead.
Call it like it is.
Monthly Substack subscriptions go towards supporting this content and helping firefighters in need. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
Call it like it is.
Monthly Substack subscriptions go towards supporting this content and helping firefighters in need. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 19, 2023 • 1h 11min
The Supt Series: Fred Thompson, Superintendent of the Helena Hotshots, Joins Me to Discuss All Things Wildfire. We talk fitness, what being a Hotshot means, preparing for the season, mental health...
On today's Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
Fred covers his background and the history of the crew.
We discuss fitness and endurance athletics.
We get into mental health, morning meditation for the crew, and how the crew handled tragedy when it came unexpectedly.
We discuss the crew’s close connections with the Veteran world and even hosting David Goggins as a crewmember.
What critical looks like and how you should prepare.
The future of wildfire.
and much much more
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP: Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate to firefighter charities generously and supports all our content. You also receive our Monday morning workouts, article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more.

Feb 17, 2023 • 54min
Weekly Wildfire Update: Chief Moore Admits 45% of the Workforce Left in the Last 3 Years. Wildfire Commission Releases Preliminary Findings and Recommendations.
On Today’s Show: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
In a meeting with County Officials, Forest Service Chief Randy Moore admits 45% of the workforce has left in the last 3 years.
We discuss the meeting and other admissions and comments on upcoming projects and contractor use.
The Wildfire Commission releases its preliminary findings and recommendations for aviation and more. WE cover the findings and recommendations.
After mandating Ford Lighting EV trucks for the Forest Service, Ford suspends production due to battery packs catching fire. Off to a great start…
And much more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP: Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate to firefighter charities generously and supports all our content. You also receive our Monday morning workouts, article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more.

Feb 11, 2023 • 1h 8min
My Interview with Dr. Robin Verble. We Discuss the Recently Released Report on Wildfire Dispatchers Around the Nation and Cover the Importance of Getting New Wildfire Series Right.
On today's show, Dr. Robin Verble joins me to discuss the report she recently released on environmental health and mental health in wildland fire dispatchers around the nation. It’s amazing to see the similarities to the same issues that operational folks are seeing, including retention, mental health, recruitment, issues with HR, and so much more.
A very enlightening conversation.

Feb 4, 2023 • 1h 45min
A Fantastic Conversation with J Gilmore. We Cover Her Career as a Firefighter, PIO, Fire Investigator, and the Important Work J is Doing in the Prevention World.
On today’s show, J Gilmore joins me to discuss all sorts of interesting topics.
Her early career.
Transitioning into wildfire
Working with the public as a Public Information Officer.
The importance of prevention work and campaigns and what that looks like.
Her work with TNand8TN and helping family and partners understand the job we do.
Fitness and training.
What her experience has been like as a woman in wildfire.
And so much more. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate to firefighter charities generously and supports all our content. You also receive our Monday morning workouts, article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more.

Jan 28, 2023 • 2h 11min
Weekly Wildfire Update: The Hotshot Superintendent AAR. We Cover Topics Discussed/Updates Given. Hotshot Pilot Programs, National Standardization, etc… Oregon Delays Wildfire Risk Map Again.
On today’s show:
We cover the Hotshot superintendent AAR that took place this week.
We talk about the issues discussed, the information that’s coming, and the problems some folks saw last year.
We get into the Hotshot pilot programs and where those are going. The standardization of all crews nationwide and also the issues that have come about with the new push for prescribed burning during the off-season.We talk about the Oregon wildfire risk map that’s been delayed again. A lot of interesting things have come out of that story.
An update on the court case with the 2020 Eldorado fire.
We have an update on the New Mexico legislation banning prescribe burning.
Plus a lot more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate to firefighter charities generously and supports all our content. You also receive our Monday morning workouts, article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

Jan 21, 2023 • 1h 37min
The Supt Series: A Conversation With Shawn Borgen, Superintendent of the Flathead Hotshots. With 30 Years of Wildfire Experience, Shawn Brings a Wealth of Knowledge to the Table.
On today’s episode:
We talk with Shawn Borgen, Superintendent of The Flathead Hotshots. His journey into wildfire.
The Crew’s history culture, and beginnings.
We discuss the Deer Park incident which took place in the Sawtooth mountains of Idaho. He takes us step by step through the medical extraction that was anything but routine and the $2,500 can of chew that resulted from it.
As someone heavily involved in the CISM world we discuss his experience with that and mental health in wildfie.
We cover new tech that’s coming into the wildfire world and the pros and cons of that.
Plus much more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate to firefighter charities generously and supports all our content. You also receive our Monday morning workouts, article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more.

Jan 8, 2023 • 37min
The Echo's of Calf Canyon\Hermits Peak Fire: New Mexico Introduces Bill to Ban Prescribed Fire. Huge Implications if Passed. Wildfire Arson Up 10% in California in 2022. CalFire Arrests 160 Suspects.
On Today’s Show:
A Senator in New Mexico introduces Bill to ban prescribed fire in the Spring. The Law, if passed, would prohibit prescribed burns from ANY Government body.
Huge implications if passed. These are the ripple effects of the Calf Canyon and Hermits Peak Fires.
CalFire arrests record number of arsonists in 2022.
A 10% increase year over year and nearly a 100% increase in the last 5 years.
What is causing this?
Plus more.
https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate to firefighter charities generously and supports all our content. You also receive our Monday morning workouts, article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more.

Dec 23, 2022 • 1h 12min
Podcast: Dispatcher Admits to Starting 24 Wildfires This Year. Says He "Did it for the Boys and to Distract from Depression." Pilotless Helicopter Successfully Tested For Wildfire Operations.
On today’s Episode:
A dispatcher has admitted to starting 24 wildfires this year. He blames severe depression and “wanting to do something for the boys.” Amazing story.
Rotor Technologies tests pilotless helicopter platforms specifically for wildfire operations. Says it can be used for multi-mission options. Cargo, recon, crew shuttles, and meteorology data gathering.
The Wildfire cloud. Artificial intelligent systems are being built in real-time for the wildfire environment.
Plus more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate to firefighter charities generously and supports all our content. You also receive our Monday morning workouts, article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more.
https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

Dec 9, 2022 • 45min
Podcast: Forest Service Switching Entire Fleet to Electric Vehicles. The Good, The Bad, and the Obviously Fucked. Arsonist Arrested Last Night In California Decked out in Smokejumper Gear…What’s Known
Forest Service switching the entire fleet to electric vehicles. The test fleet is now in the field. The Good, The Bad, and the obviously fucked. Towing is a massive issue with these vehicles. Charging challenges.
An arsonist arrested last night in California decked out in Smokejumper Gear… fought multiple firefighters and police officers.What’s Known, what’s still unknown.
Plus more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate to firefighter charities generously and supports all our content. You also receive our Monday morning workouts; article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more. https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/

Dec 2, 2022 • 1h 13min
Weekly Wildfire Podcast: The Benefits of Staying Dialed During the Off-Season. Robbed in Paris and Border Issues After Letting My Situational Awareness Down. Smk-Jumper Stuck in Mexican Prison.
On today’s show:
We discuss the balance of rest\recuperation and remaining dialed in the postseason. Stories from my experience and coworkers’ experiences of getting into trouble in the off\season.
Smokejumper ends up in Mexican jail after a border incident and the updates I’ve received.
Plus, much much more.
THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP - Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. It allows us to donate to firefighter charities generously and supports all our content. You also receive our Monday morning workouts; article achieves, more podcast episodes, recipes, and more.
https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/


