President, Science Alliance

Dr. Sara Jahnke is one of the nation's leading experts on firefighter and first responder health. For more than a decade, she has led groundbreaking research that advances the health, safety, resilience, and performance of emergency responders. Her work is recognized for bridging the gap between science and practice—turning research into practical solutions that make a difference in the field.

Research & Leadership

Dr. Jahnke has served as principal investigator on more than a dozen national studies and collaborated on dozens more, securing over $30 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, the U.S. Department of Defense, and leading health foundations.

Her research has shaped national understanding of firefighter health, with major contributions in behavioral health, cancer, cardiovascular disease, injury prevention, substance use, and the health of women in the fire service. She has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications.

Education & Credentials

• PhD, Counseling Psychology (Health Emphasis), University of Missouri–Kansas City

• MA, 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

Honors & 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

• Endowed Lecturer, American College of Epidemiology (2019)

• John Granito Award for Excellence in Firefighter Research (2016)

Kepra Jack, BSN, RN is a nationally recognized leader in public safety health, specializing in the wellness, performance, and longevity of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other emergency responders. Through her leadership at HeartFit for Duty, she helps departments translate the latest research into practical strategies that reduce health risks and improve long-term readiness.

Leadership & Innovation

As Co-Founder, Co-Owner, and Chief Operating Officer of HeartFit for Duty, Kepra leads the development of evidence-informed health programs designed specifically for the public safety workforce. She partners with agencies nationwide to advance cardiac and cancer research while implementing enhanced medical evaluations, wellness initiatives, and risk-reduction programs tailored to the unique demands of emergency service.

Her work focuses on helping departments understand emerging science on cardiovascular disease, cancer, sleep health, and other occupational risks—and turning that knowledge into practical actions that improve responder health and operational performance.

National Leadership

Kepra serves on multiple national committees dedicated to advancing public safety medicine and occupational health. She is a voting member of NFPA committees, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) Public Safety Medicine Committee, and the National Law Enforcement Officer Medical Guidance Committee, where she helps shape standards and best practices for medical surveillance, fitness-for-duty, and responder wellness.

Research Collaborations

Through HeartFit for Duty, Kepra collaborates with leading researchers and organizations to strengthen the evidence base for responder health. Her partnerships include the Firefighter Cancer Cohort Study, NDRI's Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, Skidmore College, the First Responder Center for Excellence, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, The 100 Club, the University of Arizona, and The Science Alliance. Together, these collaborations advance research, expand access to innovative wellness programs, and improve health outcomes across the public safety profession.

Education & Clinical Experience

Kepra earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and spent more than 15 years as an emergency department nurse and paramedic coordinator before specializing in occupational and public safety medicine. Her extensive frontline experience, combined with her work as a clinician, educator, and researcher, provides a practical perspective that resonates with the departments and responders she serves.

Chief John Oates is a nationally recognized fire service leader and expert in public safety data, analytics, and performance improvement. As President and CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute (I-PSDI), he leads the development of innovative tools that help fire departments use data to improve operational effectiveness, reduce risk, and enhance firefighter safety.

Leadership & Innovation

As President and CEO of I-PSDI, Chief Oates oversees the growth and continued advancement of NFORS Analytics, Exposure Tracker, and FireCARES—industry-leading platforms that provide fire departments with actionable data to support better decision-making, risk reduction, and community outcomes.

Before joining I-PSDI in 2021, Chief Oates served for 13 years as Fire Chief of the East Hartford, Connecticut Fire Department. He previously spent two decades with the West Hartford Fire Department, rising through the ranks to Battalion Chief. His career has been defined by a commitment to evidence-based leadership, firefighter safety, and organizational excellence.

National Leadership

Chief Oates has long been a champion of firefighter health and safety at the national level. He has served as an Advocate for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's Everyone Goes Home® Program since the launch of the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives and is a member of the First Responder Center for Excellence Behavioral Health Advisory Committee.

He also serves on the NFPA 3000 Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response Technical Committee and the NFPA 610 Technical Committee on Safety at Motorsports Venues, where he served as Chair for more than a decade.

Education & Professional Credentials

Chief Oates earned a Bachelor of Science from Franklin Pierce University and a Master of Science from Oklahoma State University. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program and holds numerous professional certifications reflecting his extensive leadership and operational experience.

Chief Frank Leto (ret.) is one of the nation's most respected leaders in firefighter behavioral health and disaster response. A retired member of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), he has spent more than two decades helping fire departments and communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from traumatic events while advancing behavioral health across the fire service.

Leadership & Service

Since responding to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, Frank has worked with departments across the United States and internationally to develop behavioral health programs, crisis response protocols, and long-term recovery strategies for firefighters and other emergency responders.

As a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Disaster Response To-Go Team, he has provided leadership and support following major disasters and critical incidents, helping departments strengthen resilience before, during, and after crisis events.

National Leadership

Frank works closely with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and serves on the First Responder Center for Excellence Behavioral Health Advisory Committee, where he helps advance national strategies for firefighter behavioral health and wellness.

He also collaborates with researchers and national organizations on studies addressing some of the fire service's most pressing health and safety challenges, helping translate research into practical solutions for the responder community.

Education & Professional Development

Frank was among the first graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point's Terrorism and Counterterrorism Program. He also holds degrees and advanced professional certificates from Binghamton University and New York University, reflecting a career-long commitment to leadership, education, and service.