HAZARD CLASS

Jake sits down with Marine veteran, sniper instructor, and security consultant Dagan Van Oosten . From his time in the Marine Corps as a scout sniper to working in high-risk contracting and founding Nomadic Research, Dagan shares incredible insights into military life, war, and transitioning to civilian entrepreneurship. The conversation covers his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, the psycholo...

Jake sits down with Stephan Kesting —a firefighter, jiu-jitsu black belt, adventurer, and content creator—to discuss a life dedicated to perseverance, mastery, and exploration. From surviving a deadly warehouse fire and receiving the Medal of Bravery to solo canoeing a thousand miles through the sub-Arctic after a life-saving kidney transplant, Stephen shares his incredible journey of risk, prepar...

We break from our usual schedule to discuss an urgent situation affecting federal employees, particularly those working in firefighter health and safety. Dr. Micah Niemeyer-Walsh , Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3840, joins us to discuss sweeping cuts, the privatization of federal functions, and a concerning communications blackout at the CDC and NIO...

In this episode of the Hazard Class Podcast, we sit down with Megan Lautz , a registered dietitian and certified strength and conditioning specialist, to talk about nutrition, performance, and wellness for first responders. As the founder of Rescue RD, Megan specializes in making nutrition accessible and effective for firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency professionals. We discuss realistic nutr...

we sit down with Captain Rob Ramirez, a veteran firefighter and lead instructor of Mayday Mindset. With over 20 years in the fire service Captain Ramirez shares invaluable insights into Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) operations, Mayday prevention, and firefighter survival. The conversation covers everything from his journey into the fire service to the critical role of realistic, data-driven traini...

We sit down with Captain Rob Ramirez , a veteran firefighter and lead instructor of Mayday Mindset. With over 20 years in the fire service Captain Ramirez shares invaluable insights into Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) operations, Mayday prevention, and firefighter survival. The conversation covers everything from his journey into the fire service to the critical role of realistic, data-driven train...

We sit down with Mahlon Mitchell , a fire lieutenant from Madison, Wisconsin, and a major player in the fire service labor movement. Mahlon has served as the longtime president of Madison Professional Firefighters Local 311, the president of the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin, and was most recently elected as the IAFF Fifth District Vice President in 2024. We talk about his journey in the...

THMG Presents: Hazard Class Episode 0018 Labor, Leadership and The Fire Service Featuring: Mahlon Mitchell In this episode of Hazard Class, we sit down with Mahlon Mitchell, a fire lieutenant from Madison, Wisconsin, and a major player in the fire service labor movement. Mahlon has served as the longtime president of Madison Professional Firefighters Local 311, the president of the Professional Fi...

Jake sits down with Brent, better known by his online persona Firefighter Fenton. A fire captain and paramedic from Arizona, Brent has built a massive following as a firefighting comedian and parody music creator. In this engaging conversation, he shares his journey in the fire service, the inspiration behind his viral videos, and how he balances firefighting, family life, and social media fame. R...

Jake sits down with Gwyn Winfield, the editor-in-chief of CBRNE World Magazine, a seasoned journalist with over 20 years in the field of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) response. From exploring the humor of “hot dog sandwiches” to dissecting global security threats, the conversation delves into Gwyn’s journey through journalism, insights into the CBRNE world, and...

The Rant and The Ramble #0003 - Firefighter Fitness Obsession Hosted by Jake Ryks of THE HAZARD CLASS PODCAST This is a bite-sized opinion podcast, where I have a chance to share my personal opinion about things in and around the world of emergency response. Like - Follow - Subscribe - Share Check out the video version exclusively on YouTube. Check out the main podcast, HAZARD CLASS, for interview...

We’re joined by Eric Brenneman , president of Yoga for First Responders, fire service veteran, mental health advocate, and author of Everyday Stoicism for Public Safety. Eric shares his journey through the fire service, his decision to leave, and his ongoing mission to support mental fitness for first responders. From understanding the neuroscience of stress to the power of stoicism, Eric provides...

Jake dives into a compelling conversation with retired Deputy Chief Phil Jose of the Seattle Fire Department. With over 30 years of service under his belt, Chief Jose shares his journey into the fire service, his philosophy on leadership, and the lessons he's learned from training some of the best in the field. Resources and References: www.ignitionpointtraining.com www.youtube.com/@phillipjos...

The Rant and The Ramble #0002 - Walkie-Talkie Stopie-Talkie Hosted by Jake Ryks of THE HAZARD CLASS PODCASTThis is a bite-sized opinion podcast, where I have a chance to share my personal opinion about things in and around the world of emergency response. Like - Follow - Subscribe - ShareCheck out the main podcast, HAZARD CLASS, for interviews with interesting people in and around the world of eme...

Jake sits down with retired Battalion Chief David Rhodes, a true legend in the fire service. With nearly 40 years of experience in the Atlanta Fire Department, Rhodes shares his incredible journey, from his early days as a rookie firefighter to his current roles as Editor-in-Chief of Fire Engineering Magazine and leader at FDIC, the world’s largest fire department conference. This episode dives in...

The Rant and The Ramble #0001 - Outlaw The Denver Tool Hosted by Jake Ryks of THE HAZARD CLASS PODCAST This is a bite-sized opinion podcast, where I have a chance to share my personal opinion about things in and around the world of emergency response. Like - Follow - Subscribe - Share Check out the main podcast, HAZARD CLASS, for interviews with interesting people in and around the world of emerge...

Jake sits down with Bobby Eckert , a fire captain from Camden, New Jersey, with nearly three decades of fire service experience. Bobby shares insights into his journey as a second-generation firefighter, the origins of his renowned training company, Eckert Fire Tactics, and his philosophy of street-smart firefighting. The conversation delves into everything from fire station culture to the challen...

In this special holiday episode of The Hazard Class Podcast, Jake welcomes a truly legendary guest— Santa Claus himself! Beyond the myth and magic, Santa shares his incredible life journey, from his work in public safety and child welfare advocacy to his fascinating role as a monk and politician. This episode is packed with heartwarming stories, inspiring anecdotes, and a few surprising insights i...

Jake sits down with Mike Monaco , a retired FDNY Hazmat One member, esteemed co-host of The Hazmat Guys Podcast, and renowned hazmat instructor. Delve into the science of flammability, from understanding chemical and physical properties to practical applications in the field. This engaging discussion sheds light on essential hazmat concepts, making complex topics accessible and actionable for both...

Jake sits down with Battalion Chief Andy Starnes , a retired fire service veteran, thermal imaging expert, and founder of Insight Fire Training. Andy shares his incredible journey from growing up around the firehouse to becoming a global authority on thermal imaging cameras (TICs). The conversation explores the evolution of firefighting technology, the critical role of thermal imaging, and its app...

Jake dives into the life and journey of The Salty Paramedic , a firefighter-paramedic turned social media sensation. Known for his humorous takes on emergency services, Salty shares how he combines creativity and career, from viral memes to impactful projects like children's books and PTSD management. Discover the man behind the memes, his inspiration, challenges, and the purpose driving his g...

Jake engages in a fascinating discussion with Dr. Jeff Burgess , an emergency physician, medical toxicologist, and professor at the University of Arizona. Dr. Burgess leads groundbreaking research on reducing toxic exposures and cancer risks for firefighters. They delve into the challenges firefighters face, from job-related cancer risks to actionable prevention strategies. This is an essential li...

In this this special BONUS EPISODE the tables are turned! Bobby and Mike, of The Haz Mat Guys interview me about why I chose to start a podcast, what I've learned so far and what I hope to learn in the future. Of course, it wouldn't be an episode of HAZARD CLASS if we didn't talk about some stupid questions too. (Hopefully I can shed some light on what that is all about too) Check them...

Patrick Durham, a fire captain and mechanical engineer with 15 years of experience in firefighting and EV battery safety. Patrick shares his journey from automotive R&D to spearheading fire safety training focused on electric vehicles (EVs). We explore the science behind lithium-ion batteries, their challenges, and the evolving strategies for managing EV fires. Whether you're in emergency...

Dr. Glenn Landry, a seasoned sleep researcher specializing in human sleep optimization and circadian rhythms. Dr. Landry shares practical advice on improving sleep health, especially for those who face the challenges of shift work, such as first responders. They delve into the science behind sleep, the impact of sleep debt, and how first responders can achieve elite, performance-enhancing sleep am...