Wildfires are spreading faster, burning hotter, and threatening communities across the U.S. — not just in California. But here’s the surprising truth: most homes don’t burn from flames… they burn from embers. In this debut episode of DisasterClass, we sit down with Steve Hawks, Senior Director for Wildfire at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and former CAL FIRE leader with 30+ years of experience. Steve shares how wildfire research, building science, and community action are helping families prepare for the growing wildfire threat. 🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why wildfires are now a national problem
• The biggest myths and misconceptions about wildfire preparedness
• How the Wildfire Prepared Home program helps homeowners reduce risk
• Why Wildfire Prepared Neighborhoods are essential for resilience
• 3 steps you can take today to safeguard your home from wildfire

📌 Resources & Links
Learn more: www.wildfireprepared.org
Follow IBHS: https://ibhs.org
Connect with DisasterClass: https://www.instagram.com/instinctready

🔗 Sponsors & Partners

🧢 Sawyer Products
 Sawyer offers the most advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuries—everything from high-quality water filtration systems to insect repellents. Every purchase supports clean water programs for those in need, both in the U.S. and around the world, including disaster relief efforts.
 👉 Visit: https://www.sawyer.com

🎲 EM Disaster Gaming
Emergency preparedness doesn’t have to be boring. EM Disaster Gaming brings emergency management training to life through interactive tabletop wargames like Wildfire Mayhem, created by a Certified Emergency Manager. These games are designed to teach coordination, decision-making, and disaster response in a fun and engaging way. Learn more today and level up your preparedness! 
 🌐 Visit EMDisasterGaming.com.

🩸STOP THE BLEED® Coalition
Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after injury. But in just one hour, you can learn three simple steps to save a life. The STOP THE BLEED® Coalition is a nonprofit organization formed to support and scale the national STOP THE BLEED® campaign, helping bring bleeding control training and tools to communities across the country. Find a class near you and to learn how you can get involved. 
 🌐 Visit:  StopTheBleedCoalition.org.

🛡️ Instinct Ready
 DisasterClass is proudly brought to you by Instinct Ready, dedicated to educating, preparing, and equipping communities for emergencies and disasters through quality training, comprehensive planning, and premium products.
 🎁 Get 10% off your order with code DISASTERCLASS
 📞 Call: (845) 244-6360
 🌐 Visit: https://www.instinctready.com