Tony Perrone - HazMat Specialist - FDNY - Owner of Down Range Ops - HC0067

In this episode of the Hazard Class Podcast, we sit down with FDNY veteran Tony Perrone to explore his journey from small-town volunteer firefighter to hazmat specialist in one of the busiest fire departments in the world.With over 19 years of service in the FDNY, Tony shares how he transitioned from aspiring lawyer to becoming a HazMat Technician at Engine 44 in Manhattan, and what it takes to operate at a high level in both firefighting and hazardous materials response.This episode dives deep into:-The realities of joining the FDNY in the aftermath of 9/11-The challenges of mastering hazmat operations versus traditional firefighting-How elite instructors train the next generation of responders-The importance of humility, adaptability, and continuous learning in emergency servicesTony also discusses his role as a lead instructor in the FDNY HazMat Technician program and owner of Downrange Ops Hazmat Training, offering insight into how hazmat education is evolving across the country. Tony Perrone is a highly respected figure in the hazmat and fire service community, known for his operational experience, instructional expertise, and passion for developing others.Tony is known for:-Making complex hazmat topics accessible and practical-Blending real-world experience with humor and relatability-Emphasizing broad competency over narrow specialization-Creating buy-in from students, even those initially resistant to hazmat training