About

Our Beliefs

We believe the fire service mission is to serve the public by preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. 

We believe career and volunteer firefighters are equally responsible for completing this mission

We believe training materials and opportunities should be available to all firefighters everywhere. 

We believe that fire service instructors have an obligation to lead and inspire their students. 

We believe learning never ends, and anyone who thinks they know it all is a danger to themselves and everyone around them.  

Firegroundology

Firegroundology was founded in 2019 with the simple goal of creating and distributing training materials that were accessible and entertaining. I did not create it because I am an expert firefighter. I created Firegroundology because, over my 20-year career, I’ve observed:

• Training videos by big-businesses are usually high-quality, low entertainment value.

• Training videos by firefighters are usually entertaining, but low production quality

• Training videos mostly teach skills, and neglect academic material many find challenging

• Training classes are often very expensive because the big-city departments can afford it

• Training classes are offered inconsistently, sell out quickly, and/or don’t fit schedules

• Departments with small budgets have to prioritize equipment and PPE over training

• Most firefighters pass practical exams with ease, then fail written exams multiple times

• Teaching a few students one-at-a-time, face-to-face, isn’t efficient for instructors

Having observed these things I was left with a simple choice: do nothing and become a part of the problem, or go out and create the kind of training material that I tried to find, and wish were available when I was studying. I choose action. Firegroundology’s training materials:

• Are better than handheld cell phone videos

• Teach both skills and academic subjects, to prepare well-rounded thinking-firefighters

• Are available for little or no cost to ensure maximum availability to all firefighters

• Are available on-demand to accomodate any schedule or learning ability

• Allow training to happen at scale, and hopefully teach thousands around the globe

Whether you are considering becoming a volunteer or career firefighter, are currently enrolled in a basic firefighter academy, or are actively serving as a firefighter, I believe you will find value in Firegroundology’s training materials. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or training needs. Thank you for your interest and support!

Ryan Pfeiffer, Founder and CEO

I began my career in public safety in 2006 and have served in many organizations and response models across the country.  I am the founding CEO of Firegroundology LLC, a former full-time Fire Training Officer, an adjunct Fire Science & EMS Instructor at a major regional community college, and a proud volunteer Firefighter / EMT.

I started my career in Northern Colorado as a Fire Service Explorer / EMR and as a member of an all-volunteer county dive rescue team. After moving to Florida in 2010, I served as an EMT with a university-based EMS service while earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Homeland Security. After graduating, in 2014, I was commissioned as an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Air Force and stationed near Saint Louis, MO, where I continued to serve as a volunteer Firefighter / EMT.

In 2018, I chose to leave the U.S. Air Force to return home to Colorado and begin firefighting full-time. While completing a Master’s Degree in Trauma Counseling, I resumed volunteer firefighting, began working as a full-time seasonal firefighter, and began working as the Interim Fire Science Coordinator at a major local community college, until being hired as a full-time Fire Training Officer for a local department in 2020. In 2024 I transferred back to the street as an Engine/Truck officer.

I’ve been married to my amazing wife since 2019, and we were blessed with our first son in 2021. In the little time-off I have, I enjoy hiking, camping, riding my motorcycle, and devouring pizza.