HAZARD CLASS

In this episode of Hazard Class, Jake Ryks sits down with newly appointed Minneapolis Fire Chief Dr. Reggie Freeman for a candid conversation about leadership, overcoming adversity, and his vision for the future of the Minneapolis Fire Department.

Freeman shares his unconventional journey through the fire service, beginning with his early career in Mississippi, where financial struggles led him to accept a firefighting position in Iraq. He reflects on being thrust into leadership before he was ready, the mistakes he made as a young officer, and the experiences that fundamentally changed his approach to leading people.

In this episode of Hazard Class, Jake Ryks sits down with retired FDNY Deputy Chief Thomas Dunne to reflect on his 33-year career with the New York City Fire Department, the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership, and the lessons learned from some of the most devastating emergencies in American history.

Dunne begins with his unlikely entry into the fire service, initially planning to spend just one year as a firefighter. He recalls learning from FDNY veterans of New York City's infamous "War Years" and how their experience, confidence, and composure influenced his development as a...

In this deeply personal episode of Hazard Class, Jake Ryks sits down with Dr. David Griffin, retired assistant chief with the Charleston Fire Department and author of The Ibogaine Diaries, to talk about what happened after he walked away from the fire service and began rebuilding his life.

Griffin traces the cumulative weight of nearly two decades of trauma, beginning with the 2007 Sofa Super Store fire that killed nine Charleston firefighters. He describes years of anger, depression, isolation, strained relationships, prescription medication, and the pressure of rising through the ranks while feeling increasingly disconnected from himself. After...

What happens when doing what you believe is right costs you your career, your home, your financial security, and years of your life?

Erik Holt returns to Hazard Class for the next chapter in one of the wildest stories we’ve ever covered.

In Episode 47, Erik told us how he went from Army veteran and career firefighter to fire chief of a struggling Colorado fire district. In a matter of months, he helped rebuild the department from only a handful of responders into a 60-plus-member combination department, dramatically improving staffing, EMS capability, and response times.

In this special bonus episode of Hazard Class, Jake hits record during a late-night drive across Minnesota and lets the conversation go wherever the road takes it.

Part solo episode, part road-trip journal, and part rapid-fire interview show, the episode moves through engine company operations, fire service culture, training, fitness, leadership, and the constant challenge of balancing tradition with progress. Jake reflects on the ongoing transition to low-pressure smoothbore operations, the role of the engine company in supporting search, and why simply getting the fire out is not a high enough standard. The real goal is creating...

Retired FDNY Battalion Chief Jerry Tracy joins Hazard Class for a wide-ranging conversation about fire service leadership, mentorship, training, professional standards, and the lessons learned over a lifetime in the New York City Fire Department.

Tracy reflects on the firefighters and officers who shaped his career, the importance of staying humble and teachable, and why the fire service depends on each generation passing its knowledge to the next. He shares stories from busy FDNY engine and ladder companies, discusses the standards that defined companies like Ladder 108 and Ladder 4, and explains how experience, discipline, teamwork, and preparation create...

Jake sits down with fire service veteran Corley Moore for a deep dive into firefighter mindset, mastery, and organizational culture. They unpack the core challenges of fire training: moving past minimum standards, confronting "hollow ego" and the Dunning-Kruger effect, and helping firefighters understand the life-or-death gravity of their craft. Moore outlines his "Passion Triangle" framework—heat (the calling), fuel (personal willpower and resilience), and oxygen (the surrounding network of peers)—to explain how enthusiasm burns out and how leaders can reignite it. The conversation emphasizes that competency is the bedrock of leadership, proving that lasting cultural change is driven not...

Chief Curt “Ike” Isakson has spent more than three decades obsessed with the American fire service. In this episode of Hazard Class, he joins Jake for a deeply personal conversation about firefighting, leadership, mental health, resilience, family, and what it means to dedicate your life to the craft.

Chief Ike opens up about the difficult end of his 25-year career with Escambia County Fire Rescue, the leadership conflicts and personal struggles that followed, and the mental health crisis that ultimately led him to the IAFF Center of Excellence. He discusses suicidal ideation, spending 42 days in treatment, and how...

Stephanie White joins Hazard Class to discuss the future of the fire service, firefighter wellness, leadership, accountability, and what it takes to create meaningful change inside the firehouse.

Stephanie spent nearly two decades as a firefighter and paramedic with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue before transitioning into fire service media as the Editor-in-Chief of Firefighter Nation. In this conversation, she gives an inside look at the process of selecting classes and instructors for FDIC, including the challenge of choosing from hundreds of submissions while trying to identify instructors who can provide real value to attendees.

...

Jake sits down with Austin Beier and Taylor Hayes from the Heart of the Lakes Fire Summit to talk firefighter training, firemanship, search tactics, hose and nozzle selection, and building a stronger training culture in the fire service.

The Heart of the Lakes Fire Summit was created to bring high-level regional and national fire service instructors to firefighters in Minnesota who may not otherwise have easy access to that level of training. Now entering its third year, the conference is expanding in 2026 with hands-on training in engine company operations and forcible entry.

But this conversation...

Jeremy Donch has built National Fire Radio into one of the most recognizable voices in the American fire service, but this conversation isn't about how he built a podcast. It's about what comes with having a voice people actually listen to.

Jeremy joins Jake for a raw conversation about the changing culture and identity of the modern fire service. They dig into authenticity in the age of social media, the difference between genuine influence and chasing attention, confidence versus empty bravado, personal accountability, leadership, competition, and why experience and competence still matter.

The conversation also...

Dr. Candace Ashby has spent more than 40 years in the fire service, and she's convinced the biggest threat facing today's fire departments isn't what's burning. It's the culture inside the firehouse.

In this episode, Candace shares the unlikely story that took her from a troubled teenager to Battalion Chief with the Indianapolis Fire Department before diving into the leadership lessons she learned the hard way. We discuss why company officers hold more influence than any fire chief, the difference between accountability and punishment, why communication breaks down inside organizations, and how fire departments can rebuild trust, ownership...

James Geering's path to the fire service is anything but conventional. Raised on a farm in England, he pursued careers as a stunt performer before immigrating to the United States and ultimately becoming a firefighter and paramedic. In this episode, James shares the experiences that shaped his perspective, the lessons learned from serving in multiple fire departments across the country, and how those experiences led him to create the internationally recognized Behind The Shield Podcast.

The conversation explores firefighter wellness far beyond fitness. James explains why sleep deprivation, cumulative stress, organizational culture, and outdated scheduling models are...

After eight weeks of following Firefighter Peak Performance, Jake sits down with coach Ryan Provencher to review the results, lessons learned, and what's next. Rather than talking about what the program should do, this episode focuses on what it actually did, including nearly 20 pounds of weight loss, improved body composition, measurable gains in firefighter specific performance, and the challenges of balancing fitness with the unpredictable reality of shift work.

Ryan explains why firefighter fitness should be built around movement patterns, work capacity, recovery, and cognitive performance instead of traditional bodybuilding or gym routines. Together, Jake and Ryan...

This is not your typical episode of The Hazard Class Podcast.

For this special bonus mini episode, we're doing things a little differently. Jake recently had the once-in-a-lifetime privilege of flying with Major Sam "RaZZ" Larson of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and throughout this episode, actual in-flight footage from Jake's flight with "RaZZ" serves as the backdrop for their conversation. You'll see the real experience unfold while hearing directly from the pilot who was in the cockpit with him.

"RaZZ", a former F-22 Raptor pilot who transitioned to the F-16 and joined the...

Nutrition advice is everywhere, but how much of it actually applies to first responders?

In this episode of The Hazard Class Podcast, registered dietitian and RescueRD founder Megan Lautz returns to separate fact from fiction when it comes to firefighter nutrition, performance, and long-term health. The conversation explores why crash diets fail, how to build sustainable eating habits in an unpredictable profession, and why many firefighters unknowingly sabotage their own performance through unrealistic expectations.

Megan also tackles some of today's biggest nutrition debates, including GLP-1 weight loss medications, energy drinks, protein intake, body recomposition, meal...

What actually happens when firefighters rescue people from burning buildings, and what does the data tell us that decades of tradition never could?

In this episode of Hazard Class, I sit down with Jeff Bryant, President of Fire Nuggets, member of the Brothers in Battle cadre, and one of the driving forces behind the Firefighter Rescue Survey. We dive into the research that's changing the way the fire service thinks about search, rescue, victim survivability, and firefighter training.

Jeff shares his journey from growing up in a firefighter family to becoming a nationally recognized instructor...

In honor of America's 250th Birthday, we take a hard left turn from emergency services and dive headfirst into the wild world of monster trucks!

Jake sits down with husband-and-wife monster truck drivers Paul and Kaila Strong for an inside look at what it really takes to build, race, crash, and survive in one of motorsports’ most chaotic arenas. Paul shares his incredible story of how a difficult season in life, while spending years at the hospital with his premature twin daughters, unexpectedly led him to discover monster trucks and completely change the course of his life.

Jake sits down with Dr. Dan Madrzykowski, one of the most respected minds in fire science, for a conversation focused on the gap between fireground tradition and research-backed tactics.

Drawing from more than 30 years of fire research, Dan walks through the evolution of modern fire dynamics and how major incidents, firefighter fatalities, and large-scale testing helped reshape the way we understand ventilation, suppression, and fire behavior. The discussion explores ventilation-limited fires, flow path management, wind-driven fires, transitional attack, search tactics, and the science behind interior versus exterior water application.

They also tackle some of the...

Jake sits down with veteran firefighter, captain, and founder of Crackyl Magazine, Kory Pearn, for a candid conversation about firefighter wellness, burnout, identity, leadership, and life beyond the firehouse.

Drawing from more than two decades in the fire service and his own near-fatal health crisis, Kory shares the lessons that transformed his perspective on work, family, health, and personal responsibility. Together, Jake and Kory explore the challenges facing firefighter recruitment and retention, the importance of vulnerability and self-awareness, the realities of firefighter marriages, and why firefighters must intentionally build lives outside of the job.

The...

Jake sits down with Dr. Doug Olson, board-certified emergency physician, aviation medicine specialist, and Medical Director for Phoenix Air, to explore one of the most remarkable medical operations in modern history: the airborne evacuation of Ebola patients during the 2014 West Africa outbreak. Building on a previous conversation with author Kevin Hazard (No One's Coming), Jake shifts the focus from the storyteller to one of the individuals who lived the events firsthand.

The conversation traces Dr. Olson's journey from emergency medicine and tactical law enforcement support into the world of aviation medicine and international medical transport. Along the...

In this episode of Hazard Class, Jake sits down with bestselling author, former Atlanta paramedic, journalist, and television writer Kevin Hazzard to discuss his gripping new book, No One's Coming. Known for his acclaimed works A Thousand Naked Strangers and American Sirens, Hazzard has built a reputation for uncovering the untold stories of emergency medicine and the extraordinary people who answer the call when others won't.

The conversation takes listeners behind the scenes of one of the most remarkable medical rescue operations in modern history—the evacuation of Ebola patients from West Africa during the devastating 2014 outbreak. Ke...

Jake sits down with acclaimed filmmaker Tom Putnam and retired Los Angeles County Fire Department Assistant Chief Steve Martin to discuss their groundbreaking documentary Into the Unknown: A Paramedic’s Journey.

Known for the award-winning firefighter documentaries Burn and Burn X, Tom Putnam returns with an unfiltered, emotionally charged look at the realities of modern EMS and paramedicine in America. The film follows paramedics, EMTs, dispatchers, and emergency responders across multiple U.S. departments, capturing real emergency calls, mental health struggles, staffing shortages, PTSD, and the growing pressures placed on first responders.

Throughout the conversation, Ja...

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 nationally recognized advocate for firefighter wellness and tactical fitness. The conversation explores the evolution of firefighter culture, hiring standards, recruit training, mental health, and why firefighters should begin thinking of themselves as tactical athletes.

Jake also...

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 passion. He discusses the adrenaline and camaraderie that hooked him early, how the fire service helped him overcome anxiety, and the importance of teamwork and mentorship throughout his career.The conversation dives deep into the challenges facing volunteer departments today, incl...

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 operate at a high level in both firefighting and hazardous materials response.

This episode dives deep into:

-The realities of joining the FDNY...

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 cryptozoology, examining whether Bigfoot is a myth, a misidentified animal, or an undiscovered hominid species potentially linked to ancient humans like the Denisovans. The episode covers Bigfoot behavior, intelligence, and physical evidence including footprints, DNA samples, and vocalizations.<...

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 how the September 11 attacks reshaped his career and inspired him to develop solutions for national security.

This episode dives deep into how radar works vs. LiDAR, breaking down complex concepts into simple terms while explaining why radar is essential for de...

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 practical system focused on accountability, communication, and trust. He now works closely with the fire and EMS community through his Firehouse Freedom program, helping leaders build stronger teams and more effective station culture.

Website: www.fireho...

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.com/

www.instagram.com/ffseangray/

HIAX Boots:

www.hiaxusa.com

Rigaku Analytical Devices:

www.rigakuanalytical.com

Timestamped Chapters:

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—became the defining factor in his success.

The conversation dives into the realities of leadership in emergency services, including how to motivate individuals with different drives, how to lead people through difficult life “seasons,” and why the id...

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 these robots and discusses the future of robotics in emergency services.HAIX Boots: www.haixusa.com/

Rigaku Analytical Devices: www.rigakuanalytical.com

0:00 - 1:03 | Introduction to Sidd Thakur
Sidd Thakur, robotics...

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 to the modern drug landscape, where Brown breaks down fentanyl, cartel business models, border smuggling, and why precursor interdiction and field technology are central to the fight today.

LinkedIn: Rigaku — linkedin.com/company/rigakucorp

X: @rigaku — x.co...

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 service is evident as he talks about mentorship, training, leadership, and his work with the First Responder Center for Excellence, a program dedicated to addressing the mental and physical challenges faced by first responders.

...

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 today’s fire officers.

https://modernfireofficer.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Fire-Officer-Building-Endures-ebook/dp/B0GQDNXM6T?ref_=saga_ast_ss_dsk_dp

0:00 – Introduction
The host introduces the Hazard Class Podc...

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.

[email protected]

www.tjohncunningham.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjohncunningham/

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction
Host Jake introduces T. John Cunningham, former fire chief, emergency manager, and current Assistant Commissioner at the Minnesota Department of...

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 preparation is everything, and how faith and family helped him carry the weight of the job.

Book Available Here:

https://www.amazon.com/Send-Me-Chronicles-FBI-Sniper/dp/B0FB...

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, how Burned became a major impact campaign, and why Eli’s feature ** GenX ** will be released primarily through in-person screenings to drive change.

0:00 – 5:31 — Intro + Eli’s path into advocacy filmmaking; GenX as the origin story behind Burned.
5:32 – 12:36 — Wilmington’s PFAS water crisis + why “invisible” cont...

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 between structural and wildland firefighting. With insights on leadership, community involvement, and the evolving fire service, he offers advice for aspiring firefighters and emphasizes the importance of building a strong, well-rounded department.

www.chadcosta.org

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 protective health care in elite circles, and the challenges of raising kids with a trauma-informed lens.

0:00 — Introduction & Guest Background
Jake introduces Dr. Guirguis and his remarkable multidisciplinary resume.

0:07 — Childhood Dreams to Medical Reality<...