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 fire service’s most debated topics, including fog versus smooth bore nozzles, positive pressure ventilation, the “power cone” myth, and why many long-standing firefighting beliefs continue to persist despite clear scientific evidence.

This episode is a deep but practical look at how firefighters can make better decisions on the fireground by understanding the why behind the tactics, not just the how. If you care about firefighter survival, smarter suppression, and evolving with the modern fire environment, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

Guest Overview:

Dr. Dan Madrzykowski is a leading fire protection engineer and one of the most influential fire researchers in the world. He currently serves as Senior Director of Research at the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI).

He spent more than three decades at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where he authored over 85 technical reports, studies, and book chapters focused on fire behavior, suppression tactics, and firefighter safety.

Throughout his career, Dan has played a key role in some of the most impactful fire service research projects in North America, including studies on wind-driven fires, ventilation-limited fire behavior, search and rescue operations, and tactical fire attack. His work has directly helped shape modern firefighting strategy and continues to influence departments around the world.

FSRI.org 

Access to all of our research activities including Battery Fire Safety (FF tactics, exposure hazards, and decon), data science and NERIS, firefighter health and safety, fire modeling and materials, and WUI. 

Training.fsri.org

Fire Safety Academy which offers free online training courses and downloadable resources that instructors may want to incorporate into their classes. 

Below are links to specific material covered in our conversation:

https://training.fsri.org/course/109/evidence-based-structural-firefighting

https://training.fsri.org/resources/228/cherry-road-fire-isfsi-and-ul-fsri-understanding-and-fighting-basement-fires

https://training.fsri.org/resources/94/understanding-flow-paths-low-intake-and-high-exhaust

https://training.fsri.org/resources/409/residential-fire-near-miss-in-lagrange-ga-incident-video

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