HAZARD CLASS

Battalion Chief Marc Aloan of the West Columbia Fire Department discusses his two-decade career in the fire service. From chasing fire trucks as a child to becoming a battalion chief, Marc reflects on his experiences, including the challenges, leadership lessons, and learning from mistakes along the way. He also shares insights into the role of education in his career, the value of hands-on firefi...

Jake dives deep into the multifaceted career of Gary Oldham , a veteran in public safety with experience as a police officer, dispatcher, and global strategist at Apple. Gary shares the evolution of his career—from the front lines of law enforcement to managing major technological transitions in emergency services, and now running his own consulting firm, Accelerant 4 . This episode is rich with l...

Chief Rob Ramirez returns to the show to talk about one of the most unique opportunities in modern firefighting: helping build a brand-new fire department from the ground up. He shares stories of leadership, culture, training, and staying sharp after leaving the fire truck. Segment Breakdown & Timestamps [0:00 – 0:07] Intro & Career Leap Rob returns to the podcast, recounting his jump from...

Dr. David Griffin shares his transformation from minor league baseball player to fire service leader, shaped by one of the most devastating tragedies in firefighting history—the 2007 Sofa Superstore Fire in Charleston, SC. Griffin recounts the incident in vivid detail, reflecting on how it reshaped his view of leadership, mental health, and responsibility. Nearly two decades later, he continues to...

Deane Benninghoven , a certified hypnotherapist who specializes in treating anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and emotional trauma through hypnosis. Deane shares his personal journey from chronic pain and opioid dependency to healing through self-hypnosis, leading to a decades-long career helping others unlock the power of their subconscious. This conversation challenges common misconceptions, dives into...

This explosive episode dives into the story of Erik Holt , a former fire chief fired after reporting alleged election fraud—an election that installed the very board that terminated him. From military service and firefighting to confronting corruption, Holt walks us through his journey, decisions, and consequences. LINKS: https://www.gofundme.com/f/free-speech-retaliation-and-the-cost-of-integrity...

In this episode of the Hazard Class Podcast , we sit down with Deputy Chief Daniel DeYear , a 45-year veteran of the fire service, including notable positions such as U.S. Department of State Fire Marshal and Deputy Chief of Dallas Fire Rescue. In a candid conversation, Chief DeYear shares stories from his extensive career, including his early days in the fire service, the evolution of EMS and fir...

In the Season 2 premiere of the Hazard Class Podcast , Jake sits down with John Esposito, Chief of Department for the FDNY , for an intimate and wide-ranging discussion on leadership, legacy, and the realities of life in one of the world’s busiest fire departments. From 9/11 reflections and the evolution of FDNY to the traits of impactful leaders and memorable fireground moments, Chief Esposito sh...

Jake is joined by Lt. Col. Quinn Gallagher , a veteran U.S. Air Force pilot with nearly 20 years of service. Gallagher's story is one of deep personal loss, resilience, and unwavering dedication to preserving life—both on and off the battlefield. From harrowing combat rescue missions in Afghanistan and Iraq to evaluating cutting-edge aircraft as an experimental test pilot, Quinn shares a raw a...

The Hazard Class Podcast takes a step back to reflect on one year of podcasting. Celebrating the show's first anniversary, he shares behind-the-scenes insights, the journey so far, mental health milestones, and exciting future directions. This episode offers a rare, personal look into the making of the podcast, the powerful impact of its guests, and what’s ahead—including a few intriguing curv...

We welcome Chief Corley Moore , retired battalion chief, author, podcaster, and the mind behind Firehouse Vigilance. Known for his thought leadership in fire service culture, leadership development, and his popular “Weekly Scrap” podcast, Corley shares his personal journey from a young father working dead-end jobs to becoming a leader and voice in the fire service. This episode is packed with rela...

Jake sits down with Josh Shores , a Marine Infantry Combat Veteran, Purple Heart recipient, retired firefighter, and author of the raw and gripping memoir "Counting on Death." Together, they explore Josh's harrowing experiences during the Iraq War, his emotional return to civilian life, his time in the fire service, and his long journey through trauma, identity, and healing. Segment...

Jake talks with Eric Guida , a retired Fire Captain from Sacramento Fire Department and now Sales Director at HEN Nozzles . With more than 30 years of experience, Eric opens up about his early inspirations, firefighting culture, leadership lessons, and why the future of fireground safety lies in innovation. It’s a candid conversation bridging tradition and technology, with advice that resonates fa...

Jake sits down with Tanner Shipman , a seasoned law enforcement officer from Anoka County, Minnesota, who recently received national acclaim for his courageous actions while off duty during a gunfight in Sturgis, South Dakota. With 20 years of service under his belt, Tanner recounts the harrowing incident that earned him multiple "Officer of the Year" honors and reflects on his career, t...

We chat with Bobby Salvesen , a retired FDNY Hazmat One member, co-founder of the Hazmat Guys, and former ultramarathon runner. Bobby shares his journey from growing up in Levittown, NY, to becoming a leading hazmat instructor. He discusses his time in FDNY, the origin of the Hazmat Guys podcast, and his passion for educating others in hazmat operations. In this episode, Bobby discusses: [2:06] –...

Jake sits down with Mike Monaco —co-founder of The Hazmat Guys , retired FDNY Hazmat One specialist, and one of the leading hazmat instructors in the world. From growing up in Texas and ballet studios to battling dyslexia, his experience during 9/11, and building a global hazmat education platform, Mike shares his remarkable story. Along the way, we dive into personal quirks, firehouse culture, ha...

We explore cutting-edge research aimed at tackling one of the leading causes of firefighter line-of-duty deaths: sudden cardiac events. Jake speaks with Dr. Andy Tam (NIST) and Dr. Dillon Dzikowicz (University of Rochester) about their groundbreaking project combining AI-driven ECG analysis with wearable technology. Their goal? A real-time, portable monitoring system that can detect dangerous hear...

In this heartfelt episode of the Hazard Class Podcast , the host opens up about their personal journey through mental health struggles, culminating in a transformative stay at the IAFF Center of Excellence (COE). This solo episode offers a raw, honest look at the importance of vulnerability, seeking help, and normalizing conversations around mental health within the fire service. Listeners are enc...

Jake sits down with fire photographer and social media sensation Shane Neckel to explore the raw and riveting world of fire buffing. Based just outside Detroit, Shane shares how he turned a childhood fascination into a booming online presence—all while capturing live fire scenes using just an iPhone. From his roots in Monroe County to traveling across the country chasing flames, Shane offers a rar...

Jake sits down with Paul Jameson , Chief Commercial Officer of LifeSafe Technologies, to discuss a revolutionary firefighting product—TRF+. Designed specifically to combat the long-standing challenge of lithium-ion battery fires, TRF+ is not only effective in extinguishing such fires but also prevents re-ignition. Jake and the HazMat Guys team have rigorously tested the product over six months and...

We dive deep into a compelling conversation with Jon Vought , a firefighter-paramedic from South Florida and the founder of Rescue 1 CBD. Jon shares his personal and professional journey—starting from growing up in a firefighting family to creating a CBD company aimed at supporting first responders. We explore the challenges of introducing hemp-derived products into emergency services, the scienti...

Jake welcomes Greensboro Fire Captain Justin Hite for a deeply personal and powerful conversation. Justin shares his two-decade journey in the fire service, the unique path that led him there, and a brutally honest account of his struggles with mental health, including suicidal ideation. This episode breaks stigmas and highlights the importance of seeking help, finding the right support, and the t...

We sit down with one of the most influential voices in the fire service, retired FDNY Lieutenant Ray McCormack. Known for his pivotal 2009 FDIC keynote, "A Culture of Extinguishment," McCormack opens up about his origins in the fire service, the legacy of bravery and tragedy in his family, and the philosophical rift in fire service culture surrounding safety and aggression. A powerful co...

In this captivating second half of the conversation with historian and film consultant Alexander Mariotti , we dive deep into the historical authenticity and cinematic allure of Gladiator and Gladiator 2. From ancient Roman symbolism to Hollywood storytelling, Mariotti blends his academic insight with his behind-the-scenes experience on blockbuster sets. This episode explores how myth, memory, and...

Jake dives deep into the history, myths, and cultural significance of ancient Roman gladiators with Alexander Mariotti — a leading expert in Roman combat and historical consultant for major films and TV shows. From the origins of gladiator games to their misunderstood legacy, Mariotti brings Roman history to life with vivid detail, profound insights, and theatrical storytelling. Segment Breakdown...