Home Hardening Workshop for Professionals

November 19, 2019 @ 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Free

Attention Building Industry Professionals! Join Fire Safe Marin for a FREE 4-hour seminar on wildfire home-hardening.

1PM Doors Open – Meet Manufacturers and Installers
2PM-4PM Seminar for Building Professionals
4PM-5PM Manufacturer Showcase and Live Burn Demo

Recognizing that home-hardening through improved architectural design, ember and ignition resistant material selection, and retrofitting existing buildings are the most important factors in improving home survival during wildfires, Fire Safe Marin has developed a seminar and training curriculum to introduce building professionals to these concepts.

Taught by experts in the field of building science, home hardening, and wildfire, this seminar is intended for building industry professionals to:

Train the contractor, handyman, architect, and owner/builder to recognize structural vulnerabilities to wildfires and embers;
Introduce ignition and ember resistant designs and materials;
Provide home-hardening and retrofitting resources;
Encourage building modifications to reduce the likelihood of structural ignitions during wildfires;
Develop a list of contractors to provide Marin homeowners with access to knowledgeable professionals

Weather permitting, a live fire demonstration will be conducted at 5PM to demonstrate the differences between ordinary and fire-resistant construction.

WHAT DO THE PHRASES “FIRE HARDENED” AND “HARDENING HOMES” MEAN?

“Fire hardened” describes a building or structure that is prepared for wildfire and an ember storm. It does not mean fireproof. Home hardening addresses the most vulnerable components of your house with building materials and installation techniques that increase resistance to heat, flames, and embers that accompany wildfires.

SPEAKERS

Stephen L. Quarles, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist for Wildfire and Durability (retired)
Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)
Steve served 26 years with the University of California, and 8 years as Chief Scientist for Wildfire and Durability with the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). His research and outreach focuses on wildfire protection for residential and light commercial buildings and improving the moisture-related durability and resilience of buildings following hurricane/high-wind events. Steve earned a bachelor’s in wood science from Virginia Tech, and a master’s and a doctorate in wood science from the University of Minnesota. Steve is a member of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) where he is secretary for and task group chair in the Subcommittee on Exterior Fire; the Forest Products Society, where he is Editor in Chief of the Forest Products Journal; the Society of Wood Science and Technology; the National Fire Protection Association, where he is a member of the Technical Committee on Forest and Rural Fire Protection; the International Association of Wildland Fire and the American Wood Protection Association.

Todd Lando
Executive Coordinator, Fire Safe Marin
Wildfire Hazard Mitigation and Vegetation management Consultant
Todd has worked 28 years in the fire service, including 19 years as a wildland and municipal firefighter. He studied Forestry and Wildfire Management at the University of Montana, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Urban Planning from Sonoma State University. He is the Wildfire Hazard and Vegetation Management Specialist for several Marin fire agencies, and has worked as a fire inspector, an urban forester specializing in community wildfire protection, and served as Executive Director of Fire Safe San Mateo County, the nation’s first Fire Safe Council. Todd is an NFPA Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist.

Larry Pasero
Fire Inspector, Kentfield Fire Protection District
Larry started his fire service career in 2006, serving with the City of South San Francisco and Napa Fire Departments before joining Kentfield Fire Protection District in 2018. During his time in Napa, Larry was part of the city’s emergency response and management of the 2014 South Napa Earthquake and the 2017 North Bay/Wine Country Fires. Larry has developed and administered fire prevention, inspection and investigation related programs for several Bay Area fire agencies. He holds professional certifications from California’s Office of the State Fire Marshal for Fire Prevention Officer, Fire Protection Specialist, Fire Plans Examiner and Fire Investigator.

Program SponsorS

Fire Safe Marin has partnered with CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA insurer, to bring building professionals the most up-to-date knowledge on home-hardening for wildfire. CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer, offers automobile, homeowners and other personal lines of insurance to AAA Members through AAA clubs in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Founded in 1914, the company has been rated “A” or better by A.M. Best for more than 90 years, and is one of the top personal lines property casualty insurance groups in the United States, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The company has been repeatedly named one of the 50 most community-minded companies in America by Points of Light. More information is available at http://csaa-insurance.aaa.com and on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn).