The HazMat Guys

Twenty-five years after September 11, Bobby and Mike are joined by FDNY HazMat 1 Lieutenant John Cassidy and retired NYPD Emergency Service Unit member Mike Kenny to look at how 9/11 changed hazmat response. The discussion follows the rapid expansion of funding, training, WMD preparedness, analytical technology, PPE, FEMA USAR capability, and the outside schools that helped rebuild experience after the devastating loss of hazmat personnel.

They also examine the growing pains that came with new money and new equipment, the evolution of fire and law enforcement cooperation, and why younger technicians often became the best carriers of new ideas back into their organizations. The result is a candid look at how far hazmat preparedness has come in 25 years, what capabilities are beginning to fade, and why continued training and interagency cooperation still matter.

Key Moments

00:00 Sponsors and Opening

03:47 How 9/11 Accelerated Hazmat

07:20 Funding, Bhopal, Sarin and Anthrax

10:32 Fire and Police Learn to Work Together

12:33 When Lab Technology Came to the Street

15:58 How Hazmat PPE Evolved

24:39 Why Outside Training Changed the Culture

30:16 Decon, Funding and Modern Preparedness

33:39 Is the Country Better Prepared Today?

Episode Sponsors

Rigaku Analytical Devices

Rigaku provides handheld Raman analyzers for first responders facing unknown hazards. Their 1064 nm Raman technology reduces fluorescence interference, enabling chemical identification in under a minute—even in difficult samples. Rigaku’s fourth-generation platform expands accessory support to help teams assess hazards faster and safer.

Teledyne FLIR Defense

CBRNE threats don’t wait for safe locations. Teledyne FLIR Defense equips responders, security professionals, and military personnel with real-time detection tools for mobile, fixed, and covert deployment. From handheld trace detectors to autonomous bio-monitors, their technology ensures rapid threat recognition and evidence-quality documentation in any environment.

908 Devices

908 Devices delivers handheld chemical analysis tools addressing fentanyl exposure, toxic industrial hazards, and global security threats. Responders use these devices to rapidly detect, identify, and monitor thousands of chemical hazards—bulk or trace—directly at the point of need.

ObexionFR

ObexionFR is a mobile solution for lithium-ion battery fires developed by former FDNY HazMat experts. It neutralizes fires by addressing heat, oxygen, and fuel—cooling batteries, isolating oxygen, and preventing re-ignition while maintaining safe gas levels.

Fire Suppression Solutions

Fire Suppression Solutions, based in Slinger, Wisconsin, is the U.S. master distributor for advanced suppression technologies. Their partnership with LifeSafe Technologies delivers TRF (Thermal Runaway Fluid), proven through testing to extinguish lithium-ion battery fires. Products include A & B fire solutions and BSI-rated systems across 10 categories, including lithium-ion batteries.

Training & Resources

Command Media Network:

Hazard Class:

Industrial Strength: Haz Mat Harder:

Merch

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Don’t just get on the job. Get into it.™

Music Credit

Music from #InAudio

Rock & Workout

What happens when a hazmat team walks into a magic mushroom lab? In this episode, Bob and Jake break down psilocybin mushroom grow operations and what firefighters, hazmat technicians, and law enforcement need to know.

They cover how magic mushrooms are grown, processed, and packaged, along with the real hazards responders may encounter, including airborne spores, mold, biological aerosols, CO2, isopropyl alcohol, electrical hazards, sharps, and other drugs.

They also discuss atmospheric monitoring, respiratory protection, PPE selection, and why a mushroom grow is very different from a traditional meth lab.

If your team encounters a clandestine psilocybin grow, what should you actually be worried about? This episode separates the real hazards from the myths.

EPISODE SPONSORS:

Rigaku Analytical Devices:

Rigaku provides handheld Raman analyzers for first responders facing unknown hazards. Their 1064 nm Raman technology reduces fluorescence interference, enabling chemical identification in under a minute—even in difficult samples. Rigaku’s fourth-generation platform expands accessory support to help teams assess hazards faster and safer.https://www.rigakuanalytical.com

Teledyne FLIR Defense:

CBRNE threats don’t wait for safe locations. Teledyne FLIR Defense equips responders, security professionals, and military personnel with real-time detection tools for mobile, fixed, and covert deployment. From handheld trace detectors to autonomous bio-monitors, their technology ensures rapid threat recognition and evidence-quality documentation in any environment.https://defense.flir.com

908 Devices:

908 Devices delivers handheld chemical analysis tools addressing fentanyl exposure, toxic industrial hazards, and global security threats. Responders use these devices to rapidly detect, identify, and monitor thousands of chemical hazards—bulk or trace—directly at the point of need.https://www.908devices.com

ObexionFR:

ObexionFR is a mobile solution for lithium-ion battery fires developed by former FDNY HazMat experts. It neutralizes fires by addressing heat, oxygen, and fuel—cooling batteries, isolating oxygen, and preventing re-ignition while maintaining safe gas levels.https://www.obexionfr.com

Fire Suppression Solutions (FSS):

Fire Suppression Solutions, based in Slinger, Wisconsin, is the U.S. master distributor for advanced suppression technologies. Their partnership with LifeSafe Technologies delivers TRF (Thermal Runaway Fluid), proven through testing to extinguish lithium-ion battery fires. Products include A & B fire solutions and BSI-rated systems across 10 categories, including lithium-ion batteries.https://www.firesuppressionsolutions.com

TRAINING & RESOURCEShttps://thehazmatguys.comhttps://thehazmatguys.com/traininghttps://thehazmatguys.com/contact

BOOKS & PRODUCTSNHERD Volume 1https://thehazmatguys.com/product/national-emergency-response-hazmat-drills-nerhd/

NHERD Volume 2https://thehazmatguys.com/product/second-edition-national-emergency-response-hazmat-drills-nerhd2/

Are You Compliant?https://thehazmatguys.com/product/are-you-compliant/

Building a HazMat Teamhttps://thehazmatguys.com/product/building-a-hazmat-team/

You Suck at Teaching HazMathttps://thehazmatguys.com/product/you-suck/

NERHD: The Gamehttps://thehazmatguys.com/product/nerhd-the-game/

Command Media Networkhttps://commandmedianetwork.com/

Hazard Classhttps://thehazmatguys.com/hazard-class/

Industrial Strength: Haz Mat Harderhttps://thehazmatguys.com/industrial-strength-podcast/

MERCHhttps://thehazmatguys.com/store/#materials

FOLLOWFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/thehazmatguys

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Don’t just get on the job. Get into it.™

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Sport Rock & Workout

We discuss when Level A protection may actually be the wrong choice, why hazmat incidents often become command problems instead of purely chemistry problems, and which hazmat situations are the most concerning. The conversation focuses on practical hazmat response, PPE selection, risk assessment, and the leadership challenges that shape outcomes on scene. If you’re involved in hazardous materials operations, emergency response, fire service training, or incident command, this episode offers a grounded look at the questions responders actually wrestle with in the field.

Pulling from the podcast mailbag, we break down how responders think through chemical identification, initial isolation, and early hazmat decision-making during an incident. We also discuss atmospheric monitoring and the common meter-use mistake that can affect safety and situational awareness. This conversation is focused on real-world emergency response, helping hazmat teams and first responders sharpen their approach without overcomplicating the basics. Plus, we tee up three more listener questions for the next episode.

Wayne walks through an interesting real-world event that offers plenty to think about for anyone involved in response, training, or emergency services. The conversation highlights how much can be learned from actual calls and why it’s important to bring those lessons back to the training table. Even though the audio quality isn’t perfect, the message comes through clearly: listen closely, reflect on the details, and share the takeaways with your team. This episode is all about learning from experience, improving response readiness, and passing valuable knowledge forward.

Wayne walks through an interesting real-world event that offers plenty to think about for anyone involved in response, training, or emergency services. The conversation highlights how much can be learned from actual calls and why it’s important to bring those lessons back to the training table. Even though the audio quality isn’t perfect, the message comes through clearly: listen closely, reflect on the details, and share the takeaways with your team. This episode is all about learning from experience, improving response readiness, and passing valuable knowledge forward.