The HazMat Guys

Plague is not just a chapter in medieval history. It remains present in animal reservoirs, and a recent unexplained death involving a Russian anti-plague laboratory worker has renewed questions about pneumonic plague. Bobby and Mike discuss what is known, what remains unconfirmed, and why responders should distinguish a possible exposure from evidence of an outbreak. They break down bubonic, septi...

Why do firefighters who enjoy hands-on rescue and suppression training often dread hazmat class? The hosts examine how lecture-heavy courses, intimidating jargon, and instructors who confuse showing off with teaching can discourage students before they understand the work. They discuss breaking the cycle of poor instruction, making complex concepts accessible, using humor and discussion effectivel...

Modern hazmat meters are extraordinarily capable, but are technicians becoming too dependent on them? Mike’s hot take is that the hazmat community is losing some of its command of chemical and physical properties, investigation, and critical thinking as advanced meters increasingly provide the answer. The crew looks at what happens when metering reaches a dead end, why technicians should form a th...

What separates a knowledgeable hazmat technician from an effective instructor? Bobby, Jake, and the crew talk about moving beyond slide-reading and turning technical information into something students can actually understand, retain, and use. They break down PowerPoint as a supporting tool, the importance of a deliberate story arc, classroom versus hands-on instruction, teaching critical concepts...

A 40-hour hazmat technician course may meet a minimum requirement, but Bob, Mike, and Jake question whether it can realistically produce field-ready competency. They break down the difference between covering material and actually developing knowledge, proficiency, and competency, then compare longer training models and the need to tailor instruction to local hazards. The discussion then shifts to...

Twenty-five years after September 11, Bobby and Mike are joined by FDNY HazMat 1 Lieutenant John Cassidy and retired NYPD Emergency Service Unit member Mike Kenny to look at how 9/11 changed hazmat response. The discussion follows the rapid expansion of funding, training, WMD preparedness, analytical technology, PPE, FEMA USAR capability, and the outside schools that helped rebuild experience afte...

Hazmat response is supposed to be deliberate, but has “slow down” become an excuse for unnecessary delay? The crew challenges the idea that every hazmat incident should automatically move at a crawl, especially during the early stages when rapid recon and life safety decisions matter most. They break down analysis paralysis, checklist-driven operations, unrealistic metering habits, sequential task...

What happens when a hazmat team walks into a magic mushroom lab? In this episode, Bob and Jake break down psilocybin mushroom grow operations and what firefighters, hazmat technicians, and law enforcement need to know. They cover how magic mushrooms are grown, processed, and packaged, along with the real hazards responders may encounter, including airborne spores, mold, biological aerosols, CO2, i...

We discuss when Level A protection may actually be the wrong choice, why hazmat incidents often become command problems instead of purely chemistry problems, and which hazmat situations are the most concerning. The conversation focuses on practical hazmat response, PPE selection, risk assessment, and the leadership challenges that shape outcomes on scene. If you’re involved in hazardous materials...

Pulling from the podcast mailbag, we break down how responders think through chemical identification, initial isolation, and early hazmat decision-making during an incident. We also discuss atmospheric monitoring and the common meter-use mistake that can affect safety and situational awareness. This conversation is focused on real-world emergency response, helping hazmat teams and first responders...

Wayne walks through an interesting real-world event that offers plenty to think about for anyone involved in response, training, or emergency services. The conversation highlights how much can be learned from actual calls and why it’s important to bring those lessons back to the training table. Even though the audio quality isn’t perfect, the message comes through clearly: listen closely, reflect...

Wayne walks through an interesting real-world event that offers plenty to think about for anyone involved in response, training, or emergency services. The conversation highlights how much can be learned from actual calls and why it’s important to bring those lessons back to the training table. Even though the audio quality isn’t perfect, the message comes through clearly: listen closely, reflect...

We take a closer look at the details behind Decon corridor setup, including the amount of instructional time it deserves, and the nuance involved in doing it well. The conversation explores key considerations for building and improving a decontamination corridor, with practical points that can help teams think more clearly about their process. We also discuss how our new course addresses these cha...

We take a closer look at the details behind Decon corridor setup, including the amount of instructional time it deserves, and the nuance involved in doing it well. The conversation explores key considerations for building and improving a decontamination corridor, with practical points that can help teams think more clearly about their process. We also discuss how our new course addresses these cha...

In this episode, Mike revisits a question raised during one of the show’s happy hours and explains why he thought it deserved a deeper conversation. Bob and Jake come into the discussion with their own reactions, but over the course of this two-part episode, the conversation takes some unexpected turns. What begins as a simple, offhand idea becomes a more meaningful debate about perspective, assum...

In this episode, Mike revisits a question raised during one of the show’s happy hours and explains why he thought it deserved a deeper conversation. Bob and Jake come into the discussion with their own reactions, but over the course of this two-part episode, the conversation takes some unexpected turns. What begins as a simple, offhand idea becomes a more meaningful debate about perspective, assum...

Fresh off our Baltimore keynote, From Compliance to Competency, this episode digs into why moving beyond simple compliance matters for real growth, better practice, and more meaningful engagement. We got some strong traction and thoughtful responses from the audience, we wanted to continue the conversation around compliance versus competency in a deeper way. In this episode, we explore the philoso...

In this episode, we discuss the current software offerings, Haven Metering and Haven Incident Mapping, and share a look at where the project stands right now. John is developing the tools behind the scenes, and we’re excited to give listeners a better sense of what’s coming. We also talk about the upcoming opportunity to see the software in action with a live demo in Baltimore. If you’ve been foll...

Mike and I dust off an older Ebola episode from the last time the virus made headlines and bring it up to date with the current outbreak context. We talk through the Ebola situation as it’s being reported, why people are paying attention again, and how to think about practical preparedness without panic. This episode is focused on helping listeners understand the basics of Ebola preparedness and w...

In this conversation, Jesse Taylor walks us through what’s new at Rigaku, featuring the Icon-X Raman analyzer, as well as the Vector standoff accessory.  The discussion focuses on the significance of Rigaku’s use of 1064 nm Raman technology in the new Icon-X platform, the Vector’s 1-3 meter standoff capability, and what that means for users responding to potentially dangerous chemical threats. We...

Mike and I dust off an older Ebola episode from the last time the virus made headlines and bring it up to date with the current outbreak context. We talk through the Ebola situation as it’s being reported, why people are paying attention again, and how to think about practical preparedness without panic. This episode is focused on helping listeners understand the basics of Ebola preparedness and w...

We explain polymerization in clear, approachable terms, connecting the chemistry concept to the recent California-related headlines that brought it into public conversation. If you’ve heard the term in news coverage and weren’t sure what it referred to, this episode offers a straightforward overview without getting overly technical. The discussion focuses on what polymerization means, why it can b...

Jeff Wynn, who listeners may remember from a previous episode, shares new information that builds on our earlier discussion of civilian support teams and military support for local assets. The conversation explores how these teams can help organizations and personnel get to the next level, with practical insight into scaling support and improving effectiveness. We talk through the broader role the...

Jeff Wynn, who listeners may remember from a previous episode, shares new information that builds on our earlier discussion of civilian support teams and military support for local assets. The conversation explores how these teams can help organizations and personnel get to the next level, with practical insight into scaling support and improving effectiveness. We talk through the broader role the...

Recorded on-site at the Cold Zone Hazmat Conference, this conversation focuses on the key chemical and physical properties that help responders monitor hazards safely and effectively. Jake and Bob walk through the five core properties every hazmat professional should know, with practical discussion grounded in real-world hazardous materials monitoring. The episode is especially relevant for anyone...