The HazMat Guys

We start by unpacking common AI fails and how the quality of your input directly shapes the output. From there, Bob goes deeper into long-term context that may already be set up in your account without you realizing it, and how that hidden context can influence what an AI assistant generates over time. You’ll hear practical guidance on spotting when account-level memory or context is affecting res...

In this episode, the guys run a full-on draft where each person picks 10 different hazmat products while boxing the others out from grabbing the same items. As the rounds unfold, the conversation turns into a lively breakdown of choices, priorities, and the trade-offs that come with building a hazard response lineup. The result is a Frankenstein-style hazmat company, kind of weird on paper, but su...

We sit down with Mark Feldman and Ralph Suppa to talk through the growing wave of questions we’ve been getting by email about class accreditation and what it really means in practice. To bring clarity and visibility to the current state of things, we teamed up with the gentlemen from JOIFF for a grounded conversation on how accreditation works and where the industry is headed. Along the way, we di...

Right before hitting record, the crew has a lightning-bolt idea: Bob might not be able to join the conversation, but he can still shape it. Instead of sitting out completely, he drops five questions for Mike and Jake to tackle, spar, and “fight it out” over as the discussion unfolds. The result is a lively, question-driven episode where the energy comes from reacting in real time and debating each...

In this mailbag-style episode, we pull a handful of standout emails and mix them with questions that come up in class. It’s a quick, conversational Q&A where we respond to real questions and talk through them in a practical way. If you like episodes that feel more interactive, built from listener feedback and classroom discussions, this one’s for you. We cover a few different topics based on w...

In this episode, we break down the United States’ emerging threats document and translate it into practical takeaways you can actually use. This is part of a two-part series, where we walk through six key points from the document and discuss how each one connects to the Hazard's Materials branch. Along the way, we focus on what these threat trends could mean for operations, readiness, and the...

In this episode, we break down the United States’ emerging threats document and translate it into practical takeaways you can actually use. This is part of a two-part series, where we walk through six key points from the document and discuss how each one connects to the Hazard's Materials branch. Along the way, we focus on what these threat trends could mean for operations, readiness, and the...

Jake takes the lead in this episode to break down the top 10 chemicals you’re most likely to encounter on the road in the United States, and why knowing what’s around you matters. We count down from #10 to #1, unpacking the most common roadside chemicals and what makes each one noteworthy along the way. It’s a fast-moving discussion built around real-world exposure and the kinds of materials you m...

Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT problem, it can directly affect your hazmat operation and the safety decisions you make every day. In this episode, we pause amid everything happening in the world to talk about why cyber risks matter in hazardous materials work. Also, quick heads-up: the show’s format is shifting a bit. We’ll be bringing on regular guests, and some episodes will have Bob and/or Mike...

In this episode, Mike’s off on assignment, so Bob gets to team up with Jake again—and we’re kind of hoping this turns into a regular thing. It’s four quick questions pulled from the old mailbag, and it always gets things moving. Give it a listen. 1. How important is actual chemistry in hazmat response? 2. What the hell does octane mean on the gas pump? 3. What tools are non-negotiable when dealing...

In this episode, Jake and Bob, sit down to chat about exposure limits, looking at them through an industrial hygienist’s lens and a “Haz Mat Response” perspective. We’ll cover a mix of the common ones, the lesser-known ones, and a few you might not really care about, but knowing them can help you sound sharp when you’re talking with people on scene. Also, quick heads-up: the show’s format is shift...

We're not going to plan on doing these often, but periodically it's nice to let everybody know what's going on with what we're doing, where the show's going, and get your input. Take a listen.

We had great traction with the last AI episode, so we dived a little deeper and created a miniseries on the topic. More to come on this one, so strap in, this landscape is shifting quickly. EPISODE SPONSORS Rigaku Analytical Devices Rigaku provides handheld Raman analyzers for first responders facing unknown hazards. Their 1064 nm Raman technology reduces fluorescence interference, enabling chemic...

We had great traction with the last AI episode, so we dived a little deeper and created a miniseries on the topic. More to come on this one, so strap in, this landscape is shiftingquickly. EPISODE SPONSORS Rigaku Analytical Devices Rigaku provides handheld Raman analyzers for first responders facing unknown hazards. Their 1064 nm Raman technology reduces fluorescence interference, enabling chemica...

Since we are wrapping up our first conference in lovely downtown Key West Florida we stepped back and had our intrepid interviewer Jake Ryks who got the chance to sit down with Dr. Mark Norman. Check out this background interview and learn who the man is. It’s seriously inciteful if your thinking about doing Chemistry. EPISODE SPONSORS Rigaku Analytical Devices Rigaku provides handheld Raman analy...

Guests John Glazier • Packaging Engineer (RIT graduate) • 25+ years in chemical and dangerous goods packaging • Representative at DGO, specializing in lithium-ion battery containment and transport • Expert in third-party testing, thermal runaway mitigation, and DOT-compliant packaging Contact: • Email: jglazier@dgo.com John Orlando • Retired Fire Marshal with FDNY (27 years) • Former Supervising F...

We had great traction with the last AI episode, so we dived a little deeper and created a miniseries on the topic. More to come on this one, so strap in, this landscape is shifting quickly. EPISODE SPONSORS Rigaku Analytical Devices Rigaku provides handheld Raman analyzers for first responders facing unknown hazards. Their 1064 nm Raman technology reduces fluorescence interference, enabling chemic...

In this episode, Mike sits down with Bob to explore how AI can be applied in today's response landscape. Even if you're already working with AI, there's a good chance you'll discover some fresh insights along the way. EPISODE SPONSORS Rigaku Analytical Devices Rigaku provides handheld Raman analyzers for first responders facing unknown hazards. Their 1064 nm Raman technology reduces fluorescence i...

Rigaku Analytical Devices Rigaku provides handheld Raman analyzers for first responders operating in unknown environments. Their 1064 nm Raman technology reduces fluorescence interference, enabling chemical identification in under a minute—even in challenging samples. Rigaku’s fourth-generation platform builds on years of hazmat and public safety experience with expanded accessory support to help...

Rigaku Analytical Devices Rigaku provides handheld Raman analyzers for first responders operating in unknown environments. Their 1064 nm Raman technology reduces fluorescence interference, enabling chemical identification in under a minute—even in challenging samples. Rigaku’s fourth-generation platform builds on years of hazmat and public safety experience with expanded accessory support to help...

After hearing about a recent conflagration in Warwick, NY, we went and did a little research on some of the recent ones and the outcomes from them.   Thank you to our sponsor for this episode: Rigaku   Rigaku Analytical Devices provides handheld Raman analyzers for first responders who face the unknown.  Rigaku’s 1064 nm Raman technology reducesfluorescence interference, helping responders identif...

We recently finished recording an unboxing video that'll be available soon on the LMS. During filming, the sales rep brought up that the product detects 7-OH - something we hadn't come across before. After doing some digging, we thought it'd be worth sharing what we learned since you'll likely start seeing this substance out there. Tune in to hear more! Thank you to our sponsor for...

We recently finished recording an unboxing video that'll be available soon on the LMS. During filming, the sales rep brought up that the product detects 7-OH - something we hadn't come across before. After doing some digging, we thought it'd be worth sharing what we learned since you'll likely start seeing this substance out there. Tune in to hear more! Thank you to our sponsor for...

After a recent class, we got to think about how, in hazmat, we’re always told to avoid using our five senses. But honestly, we don’t always follow that advice ourselves. In this episode, we dig into how your senses might actually help you out in certain situations. Give it a listen! Thank you to our sponsor for this episode:   ObexionFR ObexionFR is a mobile solution for first responders dealing w...

After a recent class, we got to think about how, in hazmat, we’re always told to avoid using our five senses. But honestly, we don’t always follow that advice ourselves. In this episode, we dig into how your senses might actually help you out in certain situations. Give it a listen! Thank you to our sponsor for this episode:   ObexionFR ObexionFR is a mobile solution for first responders dealing w...