HAZARD CLASS

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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RIgakuAnalytical.Com

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

HIAX Boots:

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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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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 the aftermath of 9/11-The challenges of mastering hazmat operations versus traditional firefighting

-How elite instructors train the next generation of responders

-The importance of humility, adaptability, and continuous learning in emergency services

Tony also discusses his role as a lead instructor in the FDNY HazMat Technician program and owner of Downrange Ops Hazmat Training, offering insight into how hazmat education is evolving across the country.

Tony Perrone is a highly respected figure in the hazmat and fire service community, known for his operational experience, instructional expertise, and passion for developing others.

Tony is known for:

-Making complex hazmat topics accessible and practical

-Blending real-world experience with humor and relatability

-Emphasizing broad competency over narrow specialization

-Creating buy-in from students, even those initially resistant to hazmat training

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.

Key topics include:

• Why Bigfoot sightings are common in forested regions like Kentucky
• The possibility of Bigfoot living near human populations undetected
• Theories of government involvement or cover-ups
• Analysis of famous cases such as the Patterson-Gimlin footage
• Why modern technology hasn’t produced more definitive proof

Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, this episode offers a detailed look at one of America’s most enduring mysteries.

Charlie Raymond is a leading Bigfoot researcher and founder of the Kentucky Bigfoot Research Organization.

With more than 30 years of experience, he has:

• Investigated hundreds of Bigfoot sightings across Appalachia
• Conducted over 800 eyewitness interviews, including law enforcement and military witnesses
• Collected and analyzed physical evidence such as tracks, hair samples, and environmental interactions

Raymond’s work centers on the idea that Bigfoot may be a highly intelligent, flesh-and-blood hominid species that has adapted to avoid human detection. He is also a featured speaker at events like the Red River Gorge Bigfoot Festival, where he shares his research and field experiences with the public.

Known for his credibility and measured approach, Raymond focuses on evidence-based investigation and careful evaluation of eyewitness testimony.

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 detecting threats in challenging environments like fog, dust, and low-altitude airspace. Logan also explains how small, portable radar systems are revolutionizing surveillance—capable of monitoring hundreds of acres and detecting even small drones with precision.

A major focus is the modern drone threat landscape, including real-world insights from conflicts like Ukraine, where rapidly evolving drone technology—such as fiber-optic guided drones—is changing warfare and security strategies. The conversation highlights the growing risks of drone-based attacks, airspace disruptions, and public safety concerns, especially for law enforcement, firefighting operations, and large public events.

Listeners will also learn how AI-powered radar and video systems are transforming detection by reducing false alarms, identifying threats (from drones to weapons), and enabling faster, smarter responses. Logan shares how customer-driven innovation shapes product development at Spotter Global, along with practical insights into entrepreneurship—including his productivity framework: Record, Remind, Report.

Whether you're in emergency services, defense, public safety, or technology, this episode offers a compelling look at the future of security systems, AI integration, and counter-drone solutions—and why staying ahead of these threats is more critical than ever.

Logan's Linkedin:

www.linkedin.com/in/lh1937

Spotter Global Website:www.spotterglobal.com

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