HAZARD CLASS

What actually happens when firefighters rescue people from burning buildings, and what does the data tell us that decades of tradition never could? In this episode of Hazard Class, I sit down with Jeff Bryant, President of Fire Nuggets, member of the Brothers in Battle cadre, and one of the driving forces behind the Firefighter Rescue Survey. We dive into the research that's changing the way the f...

In honor of America's 250th Birthday, we take a hard left turn from emergency services and dive headfirst into the wild world of monster trucks! Jake sits down with husband-and-wife monster truck drivers Paul and Kaila Strong for an inside look at what it really takes to build, race, crash, and survive in one of motorsports’ most chaotic arenas. Paul shares his incredible story of how a diffic...

Jake sits down with Dr. Dan Madrzykowski , one of the most respected minds in fire science, for a conversation focused on the gap between fireground tradition and research-backed tactics. Drawing from more than 30 years of fire research, Dan walks through the evolution of modern fire dynamics and how major incidents, firefighter fatalities, and large-scale testing helped reshape the way we underst...

Jake sits down with veteran firefighter, captain, and founder of Crackyl Magazine, Kory Pearn , for a candid conversation about firefighter wellness, burnout, identity, leadership, and life beyond the firehouse. Drawing from more than two decades in the fire service and his own near-fatal health crisis, Kory shares the lessons that transformed his perspective on work, family, health, and personal...

Jake sits down with Dr. Doug Olson , board-certified emergency physician, aviation medicine specialist, and Medical Director for Phoenix Air, to explore one of the most remarkable medical operations in modern history: the airborne evacuation of Ebola patients during the 2014 West Africa outbreak. Building on a previous conversation with author Kevin Hazard ( No One's Coming ), Jake shifts the...

In this episode of Hazard Class , Jake sits down with bestselling author, former Atlanta paramedic, journalist, and television writer Kevin Hazzard to discuss his gripping new book, No One's Coming . Known for his acclaimed works A Thousand Naked Strangers and American Sirens , Hazzard has built a reputation for uncovering the untold stories of emergency medicine and the extraordinary people w...

Jake sits down with acclaimed filmmaker Tom Putnam and retired Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Chief Steve Martin to discuss their groundbreaking documentary Into the Unknown: A Paramedic’s Journey . Known for the award-winning firefighter documentaries Burn and Burn X , Tom Putnam returns with an unfiltered, emotionally charged look at the realities of modern EMS and paramedicine in...

Jake sits down with retired Battalion Chief Ryan Provencher for a deep conversation about firefighter fitness, resilience, leadership, and what it truly means to sustain a long and healthy career in the fire service. With more than 30 years in the fire service, Ryan shares his journey from volunteer firefighter to operations battalion chief, training chief, paramedic, safety officer, and nationall...

Jake welcomes firefighter, podcaster, and media creator Tyler DeLuca for a wide-ranging conversation about the volunteer fire service, leadership, firehouse culture, and the future of firefighter media. Tyler shares his unconventional path into firefighting — a decision that started almost as a joke while hanging out in the woods with friends on Long Island — before quickly turning into a lifelong...

In this episode of the Hazard Class Podcast, we sit down with FDNY veteran Tony Perrone to explore his journey from small-town volunteer firefighter to hazmat specialist in one of the busiest fire departments in the world. With over 19 years of service in the FDNY, Tony shares how he transitioned from aspiring lawyer to becoming a HazMat Technician at Engine 44 in Manhattan, and what it takes to o...

In this episode of the Dueling Mustache Conspiracy Hour , host Jake Ryks and The Salty Paramedic explore the mystery of Bigfoot sightings in Kentucky and Appalachia with renowned investigator Charlie Raymond . As the founder of the Kentucky Bigfoot Research Organization, Raymond shares insights from over 800 eyewitness reports and decades of field research. The conversation dives into the world of...

Jake sits down with Logan Harris , founder and CEO of Spotter Global, to explore the rapidly evolving world of advanced radar technology, drone detection, and critical infrastructure security. From building homemade radios as a kid to leading one of the most innovative compact radar companies, Logan shares his journey into electrical engineering, defense technology, and entrepreneurship—including...

Keith “Flip” Griffin, a retired U.S. Navy Command Master Chief with over 23 years in elite search and rescue (SAR) operations. During his military career, Flip led high-risk missions and logged more than 1,300 flight hours, operating across combat zones, ocean rescues, and medevac deployments. After retiring, Flip transitioned into leadership development, creating the Everyday Leader Framework—a p...

Jake chats with Sean Gray , a fire captain from Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services with over 30 years of experience. Sean shares his journey from a Southern California surfer to a leader in fire safety and research. With a degree in fire safety engineering and deep involvement in fire dynamics, he’s an expert on tactical operations and evidence-based fireground techniques. www.evolvingfire.co...

In this episode of the Hazard Class Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Johnny Torgeson —chief officer, leadership consultant, and author—to unpack his unconventional journey into the fire service and the leadership philosophy he’s built through real-world experience. From a last-minute decision in high school to becoming a U.S. Army firefighter, Dr. Torgeson shares how effort—not talent or grades—becam...

In this episode of the Hazard Class Podcast , Jake talks to Sidd Thakur , founder and CEO of Paradigm Robotics, about his journey from childhood tinkering with Legos to creating robots that aid first responders in hazardous situations. Paradigm Robotics' innovative robots, like their heat-resistant models, help reduce risk and save lives in emergencies. Sidd shares the challenges of building t...

Michael W. Brown joins the Hazard Class Podcast to trace his path from retail security in Cincinnati to a 32-year DEA career spanning Detroit, Bolivia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Tajikistan, and Myanmar. He explains how overseas counter-narcotics work evolved from raiding labs and airstrips to targeting the chemical supply chains that keep global drug production running. The second half shifts...

Deputy Assistant Chief (Ret.) Frank Leeb , a veteran of over 31 years with the FDNY. From his humble beginnings in East Farmingdale Volunteer Fire Department to retiring from the FDNY, Frank shares a wealth of knowledge and personal stories. He discusses his early days in volunteer firefighting, his journey through FDNY, and the lessons he's learned along the way. Frank’s passion for the fire...

Jared Vermeulen , a South Florida fire captain with nearly 20 years in the fire service and author of The Modern Fire Officer . Jared shares his unconventional journey into firefighting, his early involvement in special operations, and the lessons that shaped his leadership philosophy. The conversation explores firehouse culture, mentorship, career development, and the evolving responsibilities of...

Jake sits down with T. John Cunningham , Assistant Commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. With a background in fire service leadership and emergency management, Cunningham shares his unique journey from a young fire explorer in Greenwich, Connecticut, to overseeing statewide emergency response systems in Minnesota. John@tjohncunningham.com www.tjohncunningham.com/ https://www.l...

Jeremy Redman , a former FBI Special Agent and SWAT sniper with over two decades in the Bureau and prior experience with the U.S. Air Force and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI). Jeremy walks through the winding path from a childhood dream of being a fighter pilot to a career built around investigations, tactical operations, and leadership—plus what Hollywood gets wrong, why pre...

Jake talks with filmmaker/advocate Eli Yetter-Bowman about how learning his hometown Wilmington, NC had been drinking PFAS-contaminated water (publicly revealed in 2017) pushed him into documentary work—and into confronting PFAS (“forever chemicals”) exposure in the fire service. They cover why storytelling can turn complex science into action, the realities of funding independent documentaries, h...

Chad Costa , Assistant Fire Chief at Petaluma Fire Department, has over 25 years of experience in municipal, rural, and wildland fire operations. In this episode of Hazard Class Podcast , he shares his journey from growing up in rural Sonoma County to becoming a seasoned leader in the fire service. Chief Costa discusses early career challenges, recruitment and retention issues, and the balance bet...

Dr. Michael Guirguis , an emergency medicine physician whose career has defied every conventional path. From hoisting patients off cliffs with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Air Rescue, to advising executive protection teams and serving as Chipotle’s medical director, Dr. Guirguis has lived multiple lives in one. This conversation explores the gritty truths of ER medicine, the high stakes of protect...

Jake sits down with one of the most revered names in the American fire service— Captain Mike Dugan . With over 40 years of firefighting experience, including a distinguished career with the FDNY and multiple valor awards, Captain Dugan shares a raw, heartfelt, and unfiltered look into the culture, brotherhood, and challenges of the fire service. From childhood inspiration to rooftop rescues, and f...