Wildfire & Water Utilities: How the Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council Helps Communities Prepare (with Seth Schalet)

Isaac Alatorre (Portable Pipeline Systems) and co-host Jim Wollnbrinck speak with Seth Schalet, CEO of the Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council, about how Fire Safe Councils help communities reduce wildfire risk—and how that support intersects with water utilities and other critical infrastructure. The conversation focuses on collaboration, mitigation strategy, and practical ways utilities can engage in prevention and preparedness efforts that improve resilience.   About Isaac Alatorre: Chairman & Emergency Pipeline Advisor for Water, Wastewater, and Flood Management. A UC Irvine graduate and beginning his career in safety and emergency supplies, Isaac was trained by David Jackson on all things related to PPS. With the help of his predecessor, he has updated PPS in regard to technology and processes. He believes that PPS has just started to make an impact. PPS has usually been a West Coast company, but now Isaac believes that PPS can help utilities across the globe with PPS many applications. Not only with pipelines but with emergency response awareness as a whole. He enjoys sports, whiskey, and food.   Meet Your Co Host: James Wollbrinck | Director and Principal of METISIS LLC James (Jim) Wollbrinck is the Managing Director and Principal of METISIS LLC in San Jose, CA. With 35 years of experience in the water industry, he has developed key programs and partnerships in Emergency Management, Business Continuity, and Physical Security Operations for San Jose Water Co. He has also led company and employee preparedness programs, focusing on Gap Analysis and Business Continuity.