Our Mission
To bridge the gap between academic research, innovators and real-world need. We aim to reduce the devastating effects of natural disasters and environmental crises through connecting and focusing subject matter experts on problems validated by communities and first responders on the frontlines of disaster preparedness and response.
Areas of focus
Innovative Materials Testing and Validation
The Disaster Lab collaborates on the evaluation of innovative construction materials and technology that can aid in disaster preparation and help to protect communities in high disaster risk areas.
We understand the need for housing, infrastructure, and improvements across California & the world; we believe that this development must be sustainable, equitable, and resilient to a changing climate. To aid in this process, our lab connects innovators to decision-makers and end-users to ensure that their solutions can fit it into their existing structural systems and common operating procedures.
We work with experts, builders, startups, and researchers to identify, test, and validate novel materials, like theFSI Inc fire-resistant paint pictured to the left.
See our test of fire-resistant coatings.
Advancing remote sensing and vegetation management for Wildfire prevention
Dr. Joshua Dimon leads our collaboration with Marin County Fire, FIRE Foundry, and NASA in advanced vegetation management and disaster prediction. We support the testing and development of remote sensing technologies and planning tools, significantly aided by insights from these partnerships.
Our lab hosts scholars who conduct research, such as leveraging machine learning and public data to enhance fire risk prediction models. Committed to educational growth, we facilitate internships for Cal students and FIRE Foundry members, offering hands-on experience working with first responder agencies on the most pressing issues in disaster management.
In addition, we facilitate field testing and data collection opportunities for labs, academics, and university start-ups such as Squishy Robotics, pictured here with Battalion Chief Graham Groneman of Marin County Fire Department, during a controlled burn event near Novato, CA.
ENGIN 183C: Nurturing Innovation in Disaster Technology
The ENGIN 183C course is an innovative journey into real-world problem solving in disaster technology. Focused on disasters, such as fire innovations, this course provides students with hands-on experience and expert mentorship from front line agency representatives, Cal Fire, Coast Guard, UC Berkeley researchers, and international partners. Recently, our students' achievement in winning the Most Innovative Award at the Collider Cup with 'Oilnosis' is a testament to their dedication and the practical, impactful nature of our curriculum. We are proud of their success and excited for their future contributions to global environmental challenges. Read more here
FIRE Foundry and Workforce Development
Dr. Thomas Azwell, Dr. Joshua Dimon, Sukh Singh, and Chief Jason Weber launched FIRE Foundry in 2021 in partnership with the College of Marin and the program continues to onboard new cohorts and grow its impact on the future of the fire service. The program's objective is to train and empower underrepresented and underfunded community members to become a science and technology-savvy, community-oriented fire service workforce. The program provides job training and skills development for full-time work in fire services and related fields.
Our lab believes that diversity, technology aptitude, and applied experience are all essential for fire departments and service organizations to take on growing problems that come with climate change and disaster response. We continue to facilitate workshops and opportunities for recruits to develop hands on skills with key technologies such as GIS, remote sensing, aeronautics, robotics, and ecological practices.
You can read about the many accomplishments of FIRE Foundry and our recruits at NPR, KQED, and at the FIRE Foundry website.
Our lab leads The Environmental Disaster Resilience Cluster, which focuses on a range of disasters impacting communities and the environment in California and beyond, particularly those augmented or driven by climate change. This will include, among other themes, wildland fire innovations to protect people, property, and the planet; flooding from sea level rise and associated impacts on coastal communities, industry, and environments; air and water pollution monitoring, modeling, and innovations to reduce exposure of those already overexposed. The cluster will bring together industry, academia, and governmental agencies to collaborate on research, development, pilots, tests, and evaluations of new and emerging technologies in disaster prevention and response. The cluster is committed to building disaster resilience in a sustainable, accessible, and equitable manner.
Disaster Resilience
Thank you to our local and global collaborators
