Ep. 16: Bobby Salvesen
In Episode 16 of The Volly House Podcast, we had the opportunity to sit down with one of the most respected voices in the hazmat world — Bobby Salvesen, co-founder of The HazMat Guys Podcast and a longtime veteran in hazardous materials response. If you're in the fire service and have ever trained for, responded to, or taught hazmat, this is an episode you need to hear.
Bobby brings decades of operational and instructional experience to the table, and in this conversation, we unpack how hazmat training has evolved, where it's going, and how firefighters and techs at all levels can get better at a discipline that continues to grow more complex by the year.
Who Is Bobby Salvesen?
Bobby isn’t just another instructor — he’s one of the key figures who helped bridge the gap between street-level hazmat work and ongoing education through media, launching The HazMat Guys Podcast to provide accessible, high-quality information to responders across the country and beyond.
With a career rooted in the fire service, Bobby’s passion lies in breaking down complex hazmat topics into real-world language — so responders can understand, retain, and apply it when it matters most. His teaching style is no-nonsense, practical, and built on the idea that good training should be engaging, accurate, and constantly evolving.
Training Isn’t What It Used to Be — And That’s a Good Thing
One of the central themes of this episode is the evolution of hazmat training. Bobby walks us through how training has shifted over the years, especially with the rise of technology and the changing expectations of today’s responders.
We dig into:
Hybrid learning models: Bobby shares his thoughts on combining in-person drills with virtual modules, and how the pandemic helped accelerate innovation in this space.
Instructor quality: Let’s be honest — not every instructor is built the same. Bobby talks about how to navigate training led by weaker instructors, how to self-direct your learning, and why it’s crucial to seek out instructors who’ve actually been in the field.
Meeting people where they’re at: Today’s new responders often learn differently than previous generations. Bobby emphasizes the importance of adapting training methods to match the attention spans, learning styles, and tech fluency of younger firefighters.
There’s No “Done” in Hazmat
Another standout message from Bobby is this: even if you’ve been doing hazmat for 10, 20, or 30 years — you’re never done learning.
Hazardous materials response is one of the fastest-changing areas of the job. The chemicals are evolving. The threats are evolving. And the technology we use to detect and mitigate them is evolving, too. If you’re standing still, you’re falling behind.
Bobby challenges every responder — from probies to senior techs — to stay curious, ask questions, revisit basics, and embrace change. It's not about chasing certificates. It's about being competent, confident, and capable when the alarm goes off.
Modern Hazmat Requires Modern Mindsets
The discussion also dives into how technology and innovation are driving new approaches in hazmat:
From meters to modeling software, Bobby talks about the tools of the trade that are making us faster, safer, and more effective — and how important it is to understand the “why” behind the tech.
Scenario-based training is becoming more realistic than ever. Whether it’s VR tools or enhanced simulation props, the days of reading from a PowerPoint and calling it “training” are over.
Cross-discipline collaboration is another growing trend. Bobby emphasizes that hazmat doesn’t live in a vacuum — working with EMS, law enforcement, and public health is key to effective response in today’s world.
Why This Episode Hits Different
This isn’t a checklist of technical info or a boring training recap. It’s a real conversation with someone who’s lived and breathed hazmat for decades and still wakes up every day wanting to learn more and teach better.
For anyone who’s ever:
Wondered if they’re doing “enough” when it comes to keeping up with hazmat skills
Sat through a bad training session and felt like it was a waste of time
Felt nervous about teaching others because they don’t feel like an expert
Needed a push to take their hazmat knowledge to the next level
—this episode is for you.
Top Takeaways from Bobby Salvesen
✅ You can’t fake confidence — but you can build it through training.
✅ Instructors should never stop being students themselves.
✅ The best responders are the most adaptable.
✅ There’s no shame in not knowing — there’s only danger in not asking.
✅ Good training saves lives. Great training shapes the culture.
Tune In and Level Up
If you’re serious about hazmat — or just want to better understand how to evolve in any part of the fire service — Episode 16 delivers. Bobby’s blend of technical expertise, real-world experience, and no-BS delivery makes this a must-listen.
🎧 Listen to Episode 16 now on all platforms.
🎙 Dive deeper into hazmat topics at thehazmatguys.com/podcast
💬 Let us know what you took away from the episode by messaging us on Instagram or visiting vollyhousepodcast.com
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Support the brands that support the fire service and this show:
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📊 Alpine Software – Smart solutions for emergency services