Clare Frank

Clare Frank served in the fire service for 30 years, rising to the rank of fire chief at the Milpitas (California) Fire Department, then to CAL FIRE’s chief of fire protection. She also served as a lawyer and peace officer. Now retired, she writes and speaks about her life with firefighters, lawyers and cops. Frank is the author of “Burnt: A Memoir of Fighting Fire.”

LATEST ARTICLES

Multiracial group of firefighters by firetrucks at night, smiling

Women in Firefighting

‘Stop saying firemen’: The smallest effort can make the biggest difference in recruitment

Using this word tells every woman who serves in this beloved profession that she doesn’t belong – and signals to young girls that they shouldn’t join

December 16, 2024 05:59 PM

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Wildfire and Wildland-Urban Interface

Book excerpt: ‘Burnt – A Memoir of Fighting Fire’

A trailblazing memoir from Clare Frank, California’s first (and only) female chief of fire protection

August 22, 2024 02:14 PM

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Extinguishing Fire 2

Education & Training

A firefighter’s greatest fear – and 4 ways to tame it

We want firefighters who are willing to take risks, even if that means the occasional fail

November 29, 2023 10:29 AM

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Go or No-Go: Incident Command Decision-Making

Go/no-go in the wild: Incident command decision-making on wildland and WUI fires

Informed decision-making must occur before, during and after the incident

May 18, 2023 12:04 PM

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Apparatus

If we squeak (or wheeze) loudly enough, will firefighters get the technology we need?

The advancement of wildland fire apparatus and equipment depends on using available technology and pushing for undiscovered technology

November 07, 2022 05:46 PM

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Wildfire and Wildland-Urban Interface

Hotspotting the nation’s growing wildfire problem

We must focus our efforts on quick suppression, fuel management, WUI codes and ignition reduction

May 09, 2022 11:13 PM

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