Jake sits down with one of the most revered names in the American fire service—Captain Mike Dugan. With over 40 years of firefighting experience, including a distinguished career with the FDNY and multiple valor awards, Captain Dugan shares a raw, heartfelt, and unfiltered look into the culture, brotherhood, and challenges of the fire service. From childhood inspiration to rooftop rescues, and from leadership lessons to life after 9/11, this conversation is a masterclass in service, humility, and integrity.
00:00 – Introduction
Jake introduces Captain Mike Dugan and highlights his 40+ year legacy in the fire service, including his FDNY tenure and national teaching contributions.
03:10 – Childhood Inspiration: The Fire That Started It All
Mike recounts the fire at his grandmother’s house that sparked his lifelong passion for firefighting.
08:50 – Growing Up Dugan
A glimpse into Mike’s upbringing in a big, loving Irish-Catholic family and the community values that shaped him.
15:00 – Entering the Fire Service & Early Days Volunteering
His transition from volunteer firefighter to NYPD officer, and ultimately joining FDNY.
23:00 – Academy Stories & First Assignments
A dive into his "sleep officer" training, first slow company assignment, and the career-defining transfer to Spanish Harlem.
34:10 – Firehouse Culture & Leadership Lessons
The importance of pride, ownership, and tradition in building elite fire companies.
43:30 – The Famous Roof Rope Rescue
A gripping retelling of the 1991 rooftop rescue that earned Mike high departmental honors and media attention.
57:00 – The Reality of Recognition
Navigating media attention, departmental politics (including the infamous “mustache incident”), and public recognition.
1:04:20 – From Firefighter to Officer
His decision to promote, lessons learned as a lieutenant and captain, and how to prepare others to lead.
1:15:00 – Morale, Accountability & Culture
Why company culture is built from within, and how great companies self-regulate and support each other.
1:25:00 – The Anatomy of a Great Firefighter
Heart, humility, and relentless curiosity—Mike defines what makes someone exceptional in this calling.
1:35:00 – Training for the Unthinkable
Why training for the 90% and the 1% are both vital—and how to make the most of your district time.
1:47:00 – 9/11 Reflections
An emotional segment on being at the FDNY training academy on 9/11 and losing close friends from the firehouse the day before.
1:55:00 – Legacy and Final Thoughts
Mike shares how the fire service continues to evolve and his hopes for future generations of firefighters.
Captain Mike Dugan is a retired FDNY firefighter and former captain of Ladder 123. He has received numerous awards for bravery and served as a national instructor and keynote speaker. Known for his integrity, mentorship, and practical leadership, he continues to shape the fire service through writing, teaching, and speaking.
Notable Speech: FDIC 2011 Keynote: Why Are You Here?
Like what you heard? Subscribe to Hazard Class on your favorite podcast platform.
Share this episode with a fellow firefighter or leader who needs to hear it.
Follow us on Instagram, Spotify, YouTube or Facebook for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
