Jake Ryks is a Firefighter/EMT/HazMat Specialist with the Saint Paul, MN, Fire Department (SPFD). He is currently appointed to Squad One / HazMat One. He is a passionate advocate for fire service training. His involvement in his department’s training includes engine, truck and squad company functions, advanced automobile extrication, HazMat, Rope Rescue and RIT. Ryks serves as an assistant hazmat coordinator for the SPFD and a trustee for IAFF Local 21. He was awarded the MN100 Club Firefighter of the Year Award in 2024 for his efforts in rescuing three children from a house fire. Since joining the fire service in 2016, has been involved with paid-on-call, part-time and career departments. He currently teaches hazmat training for fire departments locally, regionally and on a national level. In May 2024,beyond the fire department, Ryks began working for The HazMat Guys, where he manages their online learning platform and social media accounts and he hosts his own podcast called “HAZARD CLASS”. Above all, He is madly in love with his high school sweetheart turned wife of 10 years, Allison. They have 2 kids together, Hattie and Wesley. They’re the pride of his life.