Discover the Future of Fire Response at Central Oregon PubTalk

Wildfire is one of the defining challenges of our time, and innovation is rising to meet it. Join the Central Oregon PubTalk on Thursday, April 23 at Open Space in Bend for an evening of insight, inspiration and networking with the region’s business and entrepreneur community. Hear a keynote from Robert Shear, Founder of the Oregon Wildfire Innovation Lab on the latest trends in wildfire mitigation and preparedness.

The event also features company pitches from XyloPlan, led by co-founder Dave Winnacker, and Fire Science Solutions, presented by founder John Calkins. Fire Science Solutions will showcase technology that makes wildfire response faster, more reliable and more effective, giving entrepreneurs and business leaders a firsthand look at innovation tackling real-world challenges. This is a must-attend event for anyone looking to connect, learn and discover the next big idea shaping Central Oregon.

Company Pitch:

Fire Science Solutions
John Calkins, Founder

Fire Science Solutions was founded to improve wildfire suppression with faster, more reliable deployment systems for increasingly large and intense fires. Founder John Calkins has built his expertise in the fire industry upon firsthand insight into delays that impact response. As owner of Gotta Blaze, Inc., he managed four Type 6 engines and identified inefficiencies in traditional hose lay methods, highlighting the need for greater speed, consistency and scalability.

John earned a degree in outdoor products engineering from Oregon State University-Cascades, graduating Magna Cum Laude and translating field experience into an engineered solution. Fire Science Solutions has developed working prototypes, achieved patent pending status and completed 1,000-foot proof-of-concept deployments, demonstrating technical feasibility and reliability.