COMING SOON!
SCIENCE TO THE STATION
SPEAKERS BUREAU
THESE ARE THE EVIDENCED-BASED NERDS
AND SOON YOU’LL BE ABLE TO BOOK THEM TO SPEAK AT YOUR EVENT!
DR. Sara
Jahnke
Speaker BIO
Dr. Sara Jahnke is a nationally recognized researcher and speaker on firefighter and first responder health. She serves as Director and Senior Scientist at the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research and is a Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology. Over the past decade, Dr. Jahnke has led more than a dozen national studies on firefighter health, addressing critical issues such as behavioral health, cancer, cardiovascular risk, injury prevention, substance use, and the health of female firefighters. Her work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.
With more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Jahnke is widely recognized for her contributions to firefighter health and safety. She has received major awards from the American College of Epidemiology and the International Association of Fire Chiefs and serves on the boards of several national organizations.
SME topics
Cancer in the Fire Service – Risks, prevention, and the latest research
Behavioral Health & Resilience – Addressing stress, trauma, and mental health in first responders
Cardiovascular Risk in Firefighters – What leaders need to know about prevention and health outcomes
Women in the Fire Service – Unique health risks and cultural challenges
Substance Use in High-Stress Professions – Research insights and strategies for support
Translating Science to Practice – Turning research into policy and leadership action
Dr. Brittany
Hollerbach
Speaker BIO
Dr. Brittany Hollerbach is Associate Scientist and Deputy Director of the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research at NDRI-USA, Inc. She earned her Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Kansas State University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in cardiovascular physiology at Skidmore College under Dr. Denise Smith. A former firefighter herself, Dr. Hollerbach brings both personal experience and scientific expertise to her research on firefighter health and wellness, female firefighter health, and the translation of science into practice.
Her work spans national studies on firefighter health, military PTSD clinical trials, and FEMA-funded projects, including her current role as Principal Investigator of a study examining firefighter perceptions of COVID-19 and effective strategies for educational dissemination. Dr. Hollerbach has taught at a local fire academy and remains well connected to the fire service community in Kansas City. She is passionate about bridging research and practice to improve the health and safety of firefighters nationwide.
SME topics
Firefighter Health and Wellness – Research-driven strategies to improve performance, safety, and longevity
Female Firefighter Health – Unique risks, challenges, and opportunities for support
Cardiovascular Physiology in the Fire Service – Understanding risks and prevention strategies
Military and Veteran Health – Insights from PTSD clinical trials and wellness research
COVID-19 in the Fire Service – Perceptions, impacts, and best practices for education and response
Translating Science to Practice – Making research findings accessible and actionable for firefighters
Kepra
Jack
Speaker BIO
Kepra Jack is a nationally recognized health advocate for the public safety community, with a career dedicated to improving the well-being of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and first responders. She has partnered with the fire service on groundbreaking cardiac and cancer studies and continues to work closely with departments across the country to address the unique health risks these professions face.
As a voting member of two NFPA committees and the ACOEM Public Safety Medicine Committee, Kepra helps shape national standards and best practices for responder health. She is widely respected for her ability to translate complex medical research into practical, actionable strategies for agencies and their members.
Bringing both passion and expertise, Kepra develops educational programs that expand wellness initiatives, promote cultural change, and support healthier, longer careers in high-risk professions. Her work blends clinical insight with a deep understanding of the responder lifestyle, risks, and challenges.
SME topics
Cardiac Health in the Fire Service – Understanding risks, prevention, and early detection
Cancer in First Responders – Research findings and strategies for reducing exposure
Wellness in Public Safety Professions – Building sustainable health and fitness programs
Women’s Health in Fire and Law Enforcement – Unique risks and support strategies
Creating a Culture of Wellness – Practical approaches to shift mindsets and promote change
From Research to Action – Translating medical studies into everyday health practices
John
Oates
Speaker BIO
John Oates is the President and CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute (I-PSDI), the fire service’s leader in data and analytics. He oversees the growth and advancement of NFORS Analytics, Exposure Tracker, and FireCARES, helping agencies nationwide leverage data to improve safety and decision-making.
Before joining I-PSDI in 2021, John served as Fire Chief of the East Hartford (CT) Fire Department for 13 years, following two decades of service in West Hartford, where he rose to Battalion Chief. He holds a BS from Franklin Pierce University, an MS from Oklahoma State University, and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.
An advocate for firefighter safety, John has been involved with the NFFF’s Everyone Goes Home Program since its inception and serves on NFPA technical committees addressing active shooter/hostile event response and motorsports venue safety, as well as the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee for the First Responder Center for Excellence.
SME topics
Data-Driven Fire Service Leadership – Using analytics to improve decision-making and outcomes
Firefighter Exposure & Cancer Risk – Tracking and reducing occupational exposures
Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response (NFPA 3000) – Lessons learned and best practices for preparedness
Behavioral Health in Public Safety – Building systems of support for first responders
Leadership in the Modern Fire
Service – Insights from three decades of command experience
Safety at Special Events – Managing risks at motorsports and large venues
frank
leto
Speaker BIO
Captain Frank Leto is the Deputy Director of the FDNY Counseling Services Unit (CSU), where he has dedicated more than two decades to supporting firefighters and their families in the aftermath of traumatic events. He first joined the CSU as a Crisis Counselor and, on September 11, 2001, responded to the World Trade Center as an officer in charge of a rescue team. Since then, he has led the development of innovative outreach, counseling, and education programs to promote behavioral health and resilience in the fire service.
Captain Leto has worked closely with the IAFF and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to create behavioral health protocols and support departments nationwide after tragedies, including Hurricane Katrina, the Charleston Sofa Super Store fire, the Aurora theater shooting, and the Boston Marathon bombing. Internationally, he has shared his expertise with departments in Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. He is also a Certified Employee Assistance Professional and a graduate of the West Point–FDNY Terrorism and Counterterrorism Program.
SME topics
Behavioral Health in the Fire Service – Building resilience and support systems for firefighters and families
Lessons from 9/11 – Leadership, trauma, and recovery after the World Trade Center response
Responding to Tragedy – Best practices for departments after mass casualty and high-impact events
Peer Support and Counseling
Models – Innovative outreach programs that work in public safety
International Perspectives on Firefighter Wellness – Insights from supporting fire services around the world
Crisis Leadership – Guiding departments and communities through their most difficult moments
Frank
Leeb
Speaker BIO
Chief Frank Leeb is the Managing Director of the First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE) and a nationally recognized leader in firefighter training, safety, and leadership. He retired from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) in June 2024 after more than 31 years of service, where he held senior leadership roles including Chief of the Fire Academy, Chief of Training, and Chief of Safety.
In addition to his FDNY career, Frank has been an active member of the East Farmingdale Fire Department on Long Island since 1983. His deep experience in training and operational leadership has made him a sought-after speaker on topics of safety, culture, and leadership development in the fire service.
Frank is the author of the best-selling book Cornerstones of Leadership – On and Off the Fireground and co-author of 30 Fires You Must Know, both widely used resources for fire service leaders
SME topics
Leadership On and Off the
Fireground – Lessons from 30+ years in the FDNY
Building a Culture of Safety – Strategies that save firefighter lives
Training the Next Generation – Developing effective fire service education and leadership pipelines
Crisis Leadership – Decision-making and command under pressure
Cornerstones of Leadership – Key takeaways from the best-selling book
High-Impact Fireground Operations – Critical fires every firefighter must know
