HAZARD CLASS

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...

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...