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 timing, organic foods, processed foods, and the role of convenience foods on shift. Along the way, she shares practical strategies firefighters can actually use, from improving station eating habits to making smarter choices during busy shifts without chasing the latest fad diet.

Whether you're trying to lose weight, improve fitness, perform better on the fireground, or simply build healthier habits that last, this episode delivers evidence-based guidance tailored specifically to the realities of emergency responders.

Guest Overview

Megan Lautz is an award-winning registered dietitian, strength coach, and the founder of RescueRD, where she specializes in nutrition and performance for firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and other first responders. After serving as an embedded fire department dietitian, she now works full-time with departments across the country, helping agencies improve health, fitness, and operational readiness through practical, science-backed nutrition strategies. Megan is also the team dietitian for the Baltimore Orioles and the author of the upcoming firefighter nutrition book Fueling Fire.

RescueRD Website
https://www.rescuerd.com

Rescue RD CHALLENGE!

https://www.rescuerd.com/free-challenge.html

Nutrition Coaching & Department Services
https://www.rescuerd.com/departments.html

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/rescue.rd/

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganlautz/

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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 and advocate for evidence-based fireground tactics. We discuss firefighter recruitment, the shortcomings of traditional Firefighter I & II curriculums, training scars, search techniques, victim location data, thermal imaging, engine company operations, and why collecting real-world rescue data matters.

If you're passionate about improving fireground performance, challenging outdated assumptions, and making more successful rescues, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Guest Bio

Jeff Bryant is a third-generation firefighter with the Aurora, Illinois Fire Department, where he has served on both engine and truck companies since 2014. He began his fire service career as a volunteer in 2007 and has become widely recognized for his work in firefighter rescue research, education, and operational training.

Jeff serves as President of Fire Nuggets, is a member of the Brothers in Battle instructional cadre, and plays a leading role in the Firefighter Rescue Survey, helping collect and analyze firefighter rescue data from across North America. His work focuses on improving search operations, victim survivability, firefighter rescue tactics, and evidence-based fireground decision-making. Jeff regularly instructs at conferences and training events across the country, helping firefighters translate real rescue data into better outcomes on the fireground.

Firefighter Rescue Survey
Learn more about the survey, report firefighter rescues, and explore the data driving evidence-based fireground tactics.

Firefighter Rescue Survey FAQ
Answers common questions about the survey, how rescues are defined, and how the data is collected.

Firefighter Rescue Survey: About the Project
Background on the mission, history, and contributors behind the Firefighter Rescue Survey.

Fire Nuggets
Jeff Bryant serves as President of Fire Nuggets, a nonprofit dedicated to providing high-impact firefighter training nationwide.

Jeff Bryant Instructor Profile
Jeff's instructor bio, current assignments, affiliations, and areas of instruction.

Fire Nuggets Classes & Events
Find upcoming classes taught by Jeff Bryant and other nationally recognized instructors.

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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.

From quitting a stable software career to chasing teams, buying their first truck, and learning everything the hard way, Paul and Kaila break down the reality behind the sport: the mechanics, the crashes, the cost, and the adrenaline.

Kaila also shares the story behind becoming the first female driver to successfully land a monster truck backflip, including the nerves, the risk, and the unforgettable moment the stadium erupted.

The conversation dives deep into how monster trucks are actually driven, how drivers use rear steer, throttle, and brakes to control the truck in midair, what parts break the most, and how the sport has evolved from old-school car-crushing chaos into the polished arena spectacle fans know today.

They also talk about their newest venture: the Monster Truck Driving School at Horsepower Park in North Carolina, where fans can finally stop wondering what it feels like and actually find out for themselves.

This one is pure gearhead fun. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to send 12,000 pounds flying through the air, this episode is for you

Guest Bios:

Paul Strong is a veteran monster truck driver with nearly 20 years behind the wheel. Since starting in 2005, he has driven for major promotions including Monster Jam and currently pilots Quad Chaos on the Monster X Tour. Beyond competition, Paul co-owns Horsepower Park in North Carolina and is helping launch one of the first dedicated Monster Truck Driving Schools in the country.

Kaila Strong is a professional monster truck driver and trailblazer in the sport. In 2011, she became the first woman in history to land a monster truck backflip, cementing her place in motorsports history. Alongside Paul, she continues to compete, build trucks, and help grow the next generation of monster truck fans and drivers through Horsepower Park and their new driving school.

MONSTER TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL:

https://monsterfreestyle.com/

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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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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 discussion also dives into the philosophy behind Crackyl Magazine, how healthy cultures are built at the kitchen table, and why firefighters need to take ownership of their own wellness rather than waiting for someone else to solve the problem.

Whether you're a new recruit, company officer, chief officer, or a firefighter approaching retirement, this episode offers practical insights into building a career that doesn't come at the expense of your health, family, or future.

Kory Pearn is a veteran firefighter captain with more than 20 years of service and the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Crackyl Magazine, one of the fire service's leading publications focused on firefighter wellness, leadership, fitness, mental health, relationships, and career longevity.

After experiencing a life-altering health crisis that nearly ended both his career and his life, Kory dedicated himself to helping firefighters better understand the challenges that exist beyond the fireground. Through Crackyl Magazine, speaking engagements, and his upcoming book Firefighter Sigma, he continues to advocate for healthier, more sustainable careers in the fire service.

Kory shares how years of overcommitment, stress, and constantly taking on more responsibilities eventually led to a serious health crisis that forced him to completely reevaluate his priorities.

While departments and leadership have responsibilities to create healthy environments, Kory argues that individual firefighters must ultimately take ownership of how they show up for work, their families, and themselves.

The conversation explores how honesty, transparency, and vulnerability help build stronger relationships both inside and outside the firehouse.

Kory explains that the goal isn't perfect balance but rather finding a sustainable rhythm that allows firefighters to succeed professionally while maintaining healthy relationships and personal fulfillment.

Crackyl Magazine

Firefighter Sigma by Kory Pearn

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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 way, he shares how Phoenix Air became a critical part of the global Ebola response and how a small team of medical professionals, pilots, and support personnel developed procedures that would redefine airborne biocontainment transport.

As the discussion unfolds, Jake and Dr. Olson dive into the realities of caring for critically ill patients at altitude, the unique challenges of transporting highly infectious diseases, and the intense operational planning required to protect crews, patients, and the public. Dr. Olson provides a firsthand account of the decision-making, risks, and lessons learned from missions that were unprecedented at the time.

Beyond the technical aspects, the episode offers a deeply personal look at service, leadership, patriotism, and the emotional impact of bringing desperately ill humanitarian workers home for advanced medical care. It is a fascinating examination of what happens when emergency medicine, aviation, hazardous materials response, and global public health intersect under extraordinary circumstances.

Dr. Doug Olson is a board-certified emergency physician and aviation medicine specialist with decades of experience in emergency medicine, tactical medicine, operational medicine, and critical care transport. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside local and federal law enforcement agencies, supported international missions, and helped develop medical capabilities in some of the most challenging operational environments imaginable.

During the 2014 Ebola outbreak, Dr. Olson played a key role in Phoenix Air's groundbreaking biocontainment transport program. Working with a multidisciplinary team, he helped develop and refine procedures for safely transporting patients infected with one of the world's most feared pathogens across international borders and into advanced treatment facilities in the United States.

His unique combination of emergency medicine expertise, aviation experience, and operational planning made him an integral part of a historic response effort that demonstrated highly infectious patients could be safely transported while protecting medical crews and the public.

Purchase the Book:

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/kevin-hazzard/no-one%E2%80%99s-coming/9780306835186/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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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. Kevin shares how he discovered the story through the team at Phoenix Air and spent years interviewing pilots, physicians, nurses, engineers, and aid workers to reconstruct the dramatic mission. Together, Jake and Kevin explore the challenges of turning complex real-world events into compelling narrative nonfiction, the psychology of healthcare providers who willingly enter high-risk environments, and the critical role preparation plays when disaster strikes.

They also discuss the parallels between Ebola, COVID-19, and other public health emergencies, the recurring cycles of fear and misinformation that accompany disease outbreaks, and why some individuals are drawn to the most demanding and dangerous corners of emergency response. Along the way, Kevin offers a fascinating look into his writing process, from conducting hundreds of hours of interviews to adapting his books for film and television.

Whether you're a firefighter, paramedic, healthcare professional, pilot, emergency manager, or simply a fan of incredible true stories, this episode delivers a powerful examination of courage, service, leadership, and the people willing to risk everything when lives are on the line.

Connect with Kevin Hazzard

Former paramedic, bestselling author, and storyteller Kevin Hazzard writes about emergency medicine, public service, and the extraordinary people who answer the call when others won't.

• Website: kevinhazzard.com
• Instagram: @kevinhazzardauthor
• Facebook: Kevin Hazzard Author Page

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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, Jake, Tom, and Steve dive deep into the challenges facing the American EMS system, including burnout, increasing call volumes, broken healthcare safety nets, and the emotional toll of repeated trauma exposure. They also discuss the years-long process of filming inside active emergency scenes, overcoming HIPAA and legal barriers, and creating a documentary that authentically portrays life on the ambulance without sensationalism.

The episode highlights how Into the Unknown aims to educate the public, support mental health awareness for first responders, improve EMS recruitment, and provide lawmakers and communities with an honest look at what paramedics face every day. Tom and Steve also explain the film’s Kickstarter campaign, plans for theatrical screenings, digital release strategy, and how fire departments and communities can help bring the documentary to audiences nationwide.

FILM LINKS:

www.intotheunknowndoc.com

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/intotheunknowndoc/into-the-unknown-the-paramedic-documentary

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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 opens up about his own recent struggles with stress, mental health, and losing focus on fitness after treatment at the Center of Excellence. Together, Jake and Ryan launch a 16-week firefighter transformation journey focused on rebuilding performance, improving health, and creating sustainable habits through the Firefighter Peak Performance model.

• ​Why Ryan chose the fire service and how fitness shaped his career
• ​What firefighter hiring looked like in the 1990s versus today
• ​The importance of self-awareness and situational awareness in recruits
• ​Why academy performance often predicts career performance
• ​The shift toward viewing firefighters as tactical athletes
• ​How firefighter fitness programs should mirror professional sports performance models
• ​The problem with random workouts and “smoke session” PT
• ​Preventing injuries during recruit academies
• ​Firefighter culture, wellness, recovery, and mental resilience
• ​The role of unions, departments, and individuals in firefighter health
• ​Ryan’s vision for the future of firefighter wellness programs
• ​Jake’s 16-week “fat to fit” firefighter transformation journey

Ryan explains that firefighter wellness is far more than just gym workouts or body composition. True performance includes sleep, nutrition, recovery, stress management, behavioral health, and long-term resilience. He argues that departments should approach firefighter health the same way professional sports organizations approach athlete performance.

The episode also dives into leadership and accountability in recruit academies, discussing why departments must maintain clear standards while simultaneously providing meaningful support and coaching for firefighters at every stage of their careers.

RYAN PROVENCHER:

is a retired operations battalion chief with over three decades of fire service experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a minor in Nutrition from Washington State University and is the founder of Firefighter Peak Performance, a coaching and consulting platform focused on firefighter fitness, mobility, resilience, and career longevity. He also serves as Executive Fitness Advisor for CRACKYL Magazine.

Ryan's Links:Firefighter Peak Performance Website

 CRACKYL Magazine 

Coaching Programs

Education Platform

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

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, including declining volunteerism, rising living costs, leadership failures, and generational shifts in commitment and recruitment. Tyler offers candid insight into leadership in the firehouse, emphasizing communication, mentorship, emotional intelligence, and handling conflict through private conversations instead of public confrontation.Jake and Tyler also discuss the differences between volunteer and career fire service culture, expectations around training and professionalism, and the critical importance of maintaining standards regardless of pay status.The episode closes with Tyler explaining the origins of the Volly House Podcast and the vision behind Command Media Network — a growing platform aimed at bringing together firefighter-focused podcasts, training resources, and authentic firehouse conversations that go beyond tactics and tradition.

The two also announce their upcoming collaboration, The Out of Service Podcast, which promises a more humorous and unfiltered look at life around the firehouse.

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