Jake Ryks

Jake Ryks is a Firefighter/EMT/HazMat Specialist with the Saint Paul, MN, Fire Department. He is heavily involved in many forms of department training including engine, truck and squad company functions, advanced auto extrication and RIT. He serves as an assistant hazmat coordinator for the department and is a trustee for IAFF Local 21. Ryks was awarded the MN100 - Firefighter of the Year Award in 2024 for his efforts in rescuing three children from a house fire in January 2024. In his fire service career, he has been involved with paid-on-call, part-time and career departments. He has taught hazmat training for fire departments locally, regionally and on a national level. He worked for an environmental consulting company as an emergency response clean-up contractor and the training director, facilitating internal and external hazmat training to clients in various industries. In May 2024, Ryks left that position and began working for The HazMat Guys, where he manages their online learning platform and their social media accounts.  Most recently, he launched his own podcast, HAZARD CLASS, where he interviews interesting people from in and around the world of emergency response to learn their stories and motivations and hopefully absorb some knowledge along the way too. He has interviewed guests ranging from fire service toxicologists to film directors to experts in various topics of firefighting in the show where he has adopted the mantra, "Ask Stupid Questions to Smart People" as a reminder that all questions are valid and important when they're asked earnestly to the right people, and no one should be afraid to look foolish on their educational journey.