Our Board

President, Science Alliance
Dr. Sara Jahnke is one of the nation's leading authorities on firefighter and first responder health. With over a decade of groundbreaking research, she has dedicated her career to translating cutting-edge scientific findings into practical solutions that improve safety, wellness, resilience, and quality of life for emergency responders.
Research & Leadership
Dr. Jahnke has led over a dozen national studies as principal investigator and collaborated on dozens more, totaling more than $30 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, the Department of Defense, and leading health foundations.
Her work has addressed critical health concerns including the health of female firefighters, behavioral health, injury risk, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and substance use. She has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications in medical literature.
Education & Credentials
- PhD in Counseling Psychology (Health Emphasis), University of Missouri–Kansas City
- MA in Counseling & Guidance, University of Missouri–Kansas City
- Clinical Psychology Internship, University of Kansas School of Medicine
- American Heart Association Fellowship in Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
- Fellow, American College of Epidemiology
Awards & Recognition
- Arthur J. Glatfelter Distinguished Service Award (2024)
- IAFC President's Award for Excellence in Fire Service Research (2018)
- Excellence in Research, Safety, Health & Survival Award, International Association of Fire Chiefs
- 2019 Endowed Lecture, American College of Epidemiology
- John Granito Award for Excellence in Firefighter Research (2016)
Kepra Jack is a registered nurse and public safety health expert who focuses on the wellness and longevity of first responders, especially firefighters and law enforcement personnel. She is best known for her leadership role with HeartFit for Duty and her national-level work advancing data-driven firefighter and officer health programs.
Research & Leadership
Kepra is the Co‑Founder, Co‑Owner, and Chief Operating Officer/Director of Operations for HeartFit for Duty, a medical practice dedicated to fire, law enforcement, and other public safety agencies. Through HeartFit, she partners with departments across the country on cardiac and cancer studies and uses that research to design occupationally relevant wellness programs, enhanced physicals, and risk-reduction initiatives for high‑risk responders.
Kepra helps connect frontline agencies with current science, translating findings on cardiovascular disease, cancer, sleep disruption, and other chronic conditions into practical strategies that departments can implement. She is frequently engaged as a presenter and educator, speaking about “what should be on your radar” for responder health and how agencies can change habits and operations to reduce injuries and long‑term disease.
Committee and advisory work
Kepra has dedicated her career to the public safety community and serves as a voting member on multiple national bodies, including NFPA committees, the ACOEM Public Safety Medicine Committee, and the National Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Medical Guidance Committee. In these roles, she contributes to standards and recommendations that shape medical surveillance, fitness‑for‑duty expectations, and wellness guidelines for firefighters, law enforcement, and other responders.
Collaborations & Partnerships
Through HeartFit and her national committee work, Kepra and her team collaborate with organizations such as the Firefighter Cancer Cohort Study, NDRI’s Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, Skidmore University, the First Responder Center for Excellence, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, The 100 Club, the University of Arizona, and The Science Alliance. These partnerships support data‑driven approaches to occupational health, expanding the scope of wellness programs, identifying funding pathways, and “moving the needle” toward healthier, longer responder careers.
Education & Background
Kepra holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and spent roughly 15 years as an Emergency Room nurse and paramedic coordinator before specializing in occupational and public safety medicine. Her frontline clinical experience, combined with her roles as an occupational health clinician, researcher, and educator, informs her focus on practical, implementable health solutions tailored to the realities of the public safety community.
John is the President and CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute, the fire service’s leader in data and analytics. As CEO, he is responsible for the growth, adoption, and continuous improvement of the NFORS Analytics, Exposure Tracker, and FireCARES programs.
Prior to being appointed I-PSDI CEO in November 2021, John served as Chief of the East Hartford, Connecticut Fire Department for 13 years. Prior to that, he served in West Hartford, CT for 20 years, reaching the rank of Battalion Chief.
John has a BS from Franklin Pierce University, a MS from Oklahoma State University, is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program, and holds numerous professional certifications.
He has been an Advocate for the NFFF’s Everyone Goes Home Program since the inception of the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives.
He serves at the First Responder Center for Excellence as a member of the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee.
Chief Oates serves as a member of the NFPA 3000 Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response Technical Committee and the Technical Committee for Safety at Motorsports Venues (NFPA 610) where he served as Chairman from 2005 until 2016.
Frank Leto, retired FDNY, has been a leader in fire service behavioral health since the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.
He travels nationally and internationally developing behavioral health protocols and aiding communities after major events.
Mr. Leto is a member of the IAFF Disaster Response To-Go Team. Frank has worked closely with the NFFF and is a member of the FRCE Behavioral Health Advisory Committee.
He also collaborates in research, regarding pressing health and safety issues throughout the fire service.
Frank was one of the first graduates of the West Point Military Academy’s Terrorism and Counterterrorism Program.
He also holds degrees and advanced certificates from Binghamton University and New York University.
Item description

Dr. Sara Jahnke, PhD

Kepra Jack RN, BSN, OHC, CHC

John Oates

Chief Frank Leto (ret.)

Terry Digan