Hi, I am Dan Now on to why you should care: I have over 30 years of experience in wildfire strategy, aviation, emergency services, emergency planning, and rescue, both in the U.S. and abroad. I am also the President and Founder of International Wildfire Consulting Group (IWCG) - a company that provides consulting services and training for organizations. These include governments, community organizations, NGOs, corporations, and other private sector entities on wildfire prevention, suppression, and risk mitigation strategies. Before starting IWCG in 2020 - → I was the President of Global SuperTanker Services, LLC, where I developed and executed a strategic plan that enabled the world’s largest aerial firefighting platform to conduct highly successful missions in the U.S. and South America, including the Amazon rainforest wildfire crisis. → I created and led a team of leading aerial firefighting professionals in every functional area. → I also served as a Deputy Chief, Division Chief, Battalion Chief, and Fire Captain at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). Here, I played a key role in developing the framework and managing the Tactical Air Operations unit and served as a primary architect for the state’s multi-agency Office of Emergency Services Catastrophic Air Operations Response Plan. My mission now is + to help clients address the core causes and consequences of the wildfire threat. + to strike a balance between fire prevention efforts and fire suppression capabilities. + Leverage my extensive knowledge and experience in wildfire policy, budget planning, aerial firefighting fleet development and modernization, and new technologies to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of wildfire management. I am passionate about supporting the boots-on-the-ground firefighters and the communities they protect. I believe that aircraft and new-generation fire chemicals play a vital role in controlling and containing fires before they explode into massive disasters. And you'll see me talking about all these in 2024.