Evan Birch is a Canadian ultra runner, coach, partner, father, mental health advocate, motivational speaker and former emergency services professional.

Runner’s-high courses through Evan Birch’s veins. Through a series of life events after a two decade career in emergency services, he confronted his struggles with PTSD, anxiety and depression. Through intensive therapy and countless miles on the trail he began isolating his driving force for the ultra journey while running towards the storms instead of away.

Whether he is out on the trails to connect with his friends and athletes, clear his mind, or push his edges. Evan harnesses the power of unwavering tenacity, mental strength and a promise to always say, “Yes” to the people, places and runs that light him up.”

He is now running forward, while summoning joy in the pursuit. Showing others that there’s always a path forward through the darkness.

The process of healing mentally while training for the physically challenging world of ultra running has created the perfect storm of mental resilience and physical grit that he exudes through his running, coaching and speaking.

https://ultrabirch.com/

Jason Ramos spent over three decades as a wildland firefighter, Ramos has fought firesfrom Alaska to Florida and nearly everywhere between. In this second conversation, we discuss proactive mitigation factors for wildfires, water supply, fire modeling, goats, technology, climate change and so much more.

Jason currently serves as a first responder with Washington State Search & Rescue. He is the lead drone pilot for Okanogan County, the largest county in Washington. Jason brings decades of experience to the UAS Center at SBD with his extensive background in fire, aviation, and search and rescue. Jason flies drones weekly and regularly consults with drone manufacturers and software providers. His breadth of knowledge spans the broad array of drone technology, including various RC/drone platforms, fixed wing micro to large scale, STOL, powered gliders, 3D, FPV and various types of multirotor drones.

Prior to retiring from the US Forest Service, Jason served as a wildland firefighter for over three decades. He began his career at age seventeen in California with the Riverside County Fire Department. He then went on to become an aerial-delivered firefighter in 1993 with a helitack crew, and in 1999 became a smokejumper. As an aerial-delivered firefighter, Jason has fought fires in Alaska, Florida and nearly everywhere in between. Jason proudly serves as a volunteer member of the FAA Safety Team (FAAST). He is author of the book Smokejumper and is a featured speaker on TedTalks. Jason proudly serves as a volunteer member of the FAA Safety Team (FAAST).

https://smokejumperbook.com/

Deputy Assistant Chief Frank Leeb has served the FDNY since 1992. The Chief of Safety for the FDNY’s 17,000 employees. Frank holds a bachelor’s degree in fire service administration from SUNY Empire State and a master’s degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS). He has served as an advisory panel member for UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute’s (FSRI) “Study of Coordinated Attack in Acquired Structures” and chair of the FRCE cancer advisory committee. Frank is also a principal on the NFPA Technical Committees 420, 1585, and 1710 and was the keynote speaker for Firehouse Expo in 2022 a presenter at the U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control in 2022 and 2023. He is the author of the best-selling book “Cornerstones of Leadership - On and Off the Fireground.

DENA ALI is a Battalion Chief with the Raleigh (NC) Fire Department where she has worked her way up the ranks. She previously served as a police officer for five years. Ali has a degree from North Carolina State University and an MPA from the University of North Carolina—Pembroke, where her research focused on firefighter suicide. As a graduate student, she was awarded the 2018 MPA student of the year. She has also received several awards throughout her career. One that she is most proud of is the NC Office of State Fire Marshal Honor, Courage, and Valor award that she earned for her steadfast effort to bring awareness to firefighter mental health through her vulnerability. Dena has also served as a subject matter expert at the National Fire Academy where she assisted in curriculum review for their health and wellness curriculum. Dena is the founder and director of North Carolina Peer Support where she helped to develop their statewide curriculum. She is also the author of the soon to be released book "Hope out of Darkness a Guide to First Responder Mental Wellness" which will be published by Fire Engineering.

https://firstrespondercenter.org/