Industrial Strength Podcast

Industrial Strength Podcast


Industrial Strength Podcast – Episode 28: Iron Strengthens Iron | Part II

December 08, 2025

Episode Overview

In this part two episode of the Industrial Strength Hazmat Show, Steve, Jeff, and Randy dive deep into the value of external training for industrial hazmat teams. Building on the internal training conversation from part one, the trio explores how partnerships with municipal, regional, and military units, as well as external organizations and vendors, enhance response capabilities, create networking opportunities, and improve access to specialized gear and knowledge.

 

Segment Breakdown & Timestamps

0:31 – 1:48 | Intro and Recap

  • Hosts introduce themselves and recap part one of the training discussion.
  • Steve tees up the focus on external training.

1:49 – 4:00 | Internal vs. External Training Philosophy

  • Differences between municipal (NFPA) and industrial (OSHA) training standards.
  • Importance of exceeding minimum requirements and collaborating with external departments.

4:01 – 6:51 | Challenges and Limitations with Mutual Aid

  • Discussion on the limited value of relying on volunteer/on-call departments due to response delays.
  • Internal teams often resolve incidents before external help arrives.

6:52 – 10:14 | Benefits of Joint Training Scenarios

  • Advantages of inviting municipal teams to regular hands-on training.
  • Emphasis on networking and operational familiarity.
  • Equipment sharing and learning from other teams’ strategies.

10:15 – 13:27 | Regional Response Teams and Their Role

  • Structure and limitations of metro or regional hazmat teams.
  • Response delays and integration with industrial teams.

13:28 – 16:36 | Industrial Teams on Regional Rosters

  • Unique ability for industrial team members to join regional teams.
  • Highlighting the high number of trained technicians on their team.

16:37 – 20:08 | Military and National Guard Hazmat Resources

  • Military units as top-tier partners in training and gear.
  • Regional and federal training opportunities, like Shut Up and Train and FOOLS.

20:09 – 24:17 | Conferences & Vendor Networking

  • State, national, and federal hazmat training conferences.
  • Learning opportunities and gear discoveries (e.g., magnesium handling).

24:18 – 27:00 | The Power of Informal Networking

  • After-hours conversations as fertile ground for innovation.
  • Example of how this show itself was born from informal discussions.

27:01 – 29:01 | Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

  • Tease for part three of the training series.
  • Invitation for listeners to be guests on future episodes.
  • Contact methods shared.

 

Guest & Host Info

Hosts:

  • Steve – Hazmat technician with deep experience in industrial response.
  • Jeff – Veteran hazmat technician with a technical and practical mindset.
  • Randy – 18-year hazmat and fire veteran, juggling multiple specializations (fire, medical, confined space).