Science to the Station WorkGroups
What Are Science to the Station Workgroups?
Science to the Station workgroups are collaborative teams that bring together fire and EMS professionals, academic researchers, and subject matter experts to bridge the gap between science and the street. Each workgroup is centered around a critical topic area impacting the fire and emergency services.
Why We Have Them
Our workgroups exist to:
- Align science with real-world needs:
By mixing frontline fire/EMS professionals with researchers and practitioners, we ensure that emerging science addresses the actual challenges responders face every day.
- Identify gaps and opportunities:
Through regular dialogue, members surface unmet needs, emerging trends, and overlooked areas where research, innovation, or policy can make a difference.
- Co-create usable solutions:
Workgroups focus on developing practical tools, resources, and strategies that can be implemented in departments and agencies across the country.
- Foster connection and collaboration:
Members form lasting networks with others who share their passion and expertise, creating a dynamic space for knowledge exchange and joint problem-solving.
These groups are where science meets the station, literally, so that the work we do improves the health, safety, and effectiveness of those who serve.
Firefighters and EMS providers face significantly elevated cancer risk from occupational exposures. The Cancer Workgroup exists to close the gap between cancer prevention research and the tools departments need to protect their people.
WHO SHOULD JOIN
Fire and EMS professionals, cancer researchers, occupational health scientists, and practitioners focused on cancer prevention, exposure reduction, and early detection in emergency services.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Work alongside fellow members to translate occupational cancer research into practical prevention tools, exposure-reduction protocols, and early-detection guidance — then help put that guidance into the hands of departments nationwide.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Active S2S membership required
- Active fire/EMS service, academic research role, or relevant industry role aligned with cancer prevention or occupational health
- Participation in at least one quarterly meeting per quarter, with meaningful contribution to workgroup initiatives
JOIN THE CANCER WORKGROUP
Ready to help reduce cancer risk across the fire service?
Shift work and chronic sleep disruption are an everyday reality in fire and EMS — and a serious risk to responder health and safety. The Sleep Workgroup translates sleep and fatigue science into real-world solutions departments can put to use.
WHO SHOULD JOIN
Fire and EMS professionals, sleep and fatigue researchers, circadian scientists, and practitioners focused on sleep health, fatigue management, and shift-work recovery in emergency services.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Work alongside fellow members to translate sleep and fatigue science into practical scheduling guidance, recovery strategies, and evidence-based tools for shift-based fire and EMS work.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Active S2S membership required
- Active fire/EMS service, academic research role, or relevant industry role aligned with sleep science, fatigue management, or shift-work research
- Participation in at least one quarterly meeting per quarter, with meaningful contribution to workgroup initiatives
JOIN THE SLEEP WORKGROUP
Ready to help responders get the rest they need to stay safe?
Fire and EMS work takes a measurable toll on the body — from chemical and environmental exposures to musculoskeletal injury. The Healthcare Workgroup brings clinicians and researchers together with frontline professionals to build the medical evaluations, screenings, and preventive care responders need.
WHO SHOULD JOIN
Fire and EMS professionals, occupational health researchers, physicians, and practitioners focused on workforce health, injury prevention, and medical surveillance in emergency services.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Work alongside fellow members to translate occupational health research into practical screening tools, department-level guidance, and evidence-based preventive care protocols for fire and EMS agencies.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Active S2S membership required
- Active fire/EMS service, academic research role, or relevant industry role aligned with occupational health, medicine, or injury prevention
- Participation in at least one quarterly meeting per quarter, with meaningful contribution to workgroup initiatives
JOIN THE HEALTHCARE WORKGROUP
Ready to help protect the long-term health of responders?
Behavioral health challenges are among the most under-addressed risks in fire and EMS. The Mental Health Workgroup connects researchers and clinicians with frontline professionals to build peer support tools and reduce stigma across the industry.
WHO SHOULD JOIN
Fire and EMS professionals, behavioral health researchers, mental health clinicians, and peer support practitioners committed to advancing psychological wellness across the fire and EMS workforce.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Work alongside fellow members to bridge behavioral health research and field-level realities, developing peer support frameworks, stigma-reduction tools, and evidence-based resources for departments and individuals.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Active S2S membership required
- Active fire/EMS service, academic research role, or relevant industry role aligned with behavioral health, peer support, or mental health services
- Participation in at least one quarterly meeting per quarter, with meaningful contribution to workgroup initiatives
JOIN THE MENTAL HEALTH WORKGROUP
Ready to help advance psychological wellness across the fire and EMS workforce?
The physical demands of firefighting and EMS work require strength, mobility, and cardiovascular resilience most jobs don't ask for. The Human Performance Workgroup translates performance science into training programs and fitness standards responders can actually use.
WHO SHOULD JOIN
Fire and EMS professionals, exercise scientists, strength and conditioning specialists, and practitioners focused on physical fitness, injury resilience, and performance optimization in emergency services.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Work alongside fellow members to translate human performance research into evidence-based training programs, fitness standards, and practical resources tailored to the demands of the fire and EMS profession.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Active S2S membership required
- Active fire/EMS service, academic research role, or relevant industry role aligned with human performance, exercise science, or physical readiness
- Participation in at least one quarterly meeting per quarter, with meaningful contribution to workgroup initiatives
JOIN THE HUMAN PERFORMANCE WORKGROUP
Ready to help build a stronger, more resilient workforce?
Building the next generation of fire and EMS professionals starts with effective recruitment and strong outreach programs. The Recruitment & Fire Camps Workgroup develops the strategies and programming that bring new talent into the profession.
WHO SHOULD JOIN
Fire and EMS professionals, workforce development researchers, educators, and practitioners involved in recruitment, youth programs, or fire camp initiatives.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Work alongside fellow members to develop evidence-based recruitment strategies, expand fire camp programming, and build outreach resources that diversify and strengthen the future fire and EMS workforce.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Active S2S membership required
- Active fire/EMS service, academic research role, or relevant industry role aligned with workforce development, recruitment, or youth outreach
- Participation in at least one quarterly meeting per quarter, with meaningful contribution to workgroup initiatives
JOIN THE RECRUITMENT & FIRE CAMPS WORKGROUP
Ready to help shape the future of the fire and EMS workforce?
Fire and EMS work can carry real consequences for reproductive and maternal health — consequences that are still poorly understood and under-addressed by policy. The Reproductive Health Workgroup is working to change that.
WHO SHOULD JOIN
Fire and EMS professionals, reproductive health researchers, public health scientists, and practitioners focused on maternal health, fertility, and protective policy in the fire service.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Work alongside fellow members to review reproductive health research, identify gaps in policy and practice, and develop resources that protect responders at every stage of their career and family life.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Active S2S membership required
- Active fire/EMS service, academic research role, or relevant industry role aligned with reproductive health, maternal health, or workforce policy
- Participation in at least one quarterly meeting per quarter, with meaningful contribution to workgroup initiatives
JOIN THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH WORKGROUP
Ready to help protect responders' reproductive health and futures?
A safe, respectful workplace is essential to retaining a strong fire and EMS workforce. The Workplace Civility Workgroup translates organizational science into practical tools that build healthier department cultures.
WHO SHOULD JOIN
Fire and EMS professionals, organizational behavior researchers, HR practitioners, and leaders focused on culture, inclusion, psychological safety, and workforce retention in emergency services.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Work alongside fellow members to translate organizational science into practical culture-building tools, leadership resources, and policy guidance that create safer and more respectful workplaces across fire and EMS agencies.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Active S2S membership required
- Active fire/EMS service, academic research role, or relevant industry role aligned with organizational behavior, HR, or workplace culture
- Participation in at least one quarterly meeting per quarter, with meaningful contribution to workgroup initiatives
JOIN THE WORKPLACE CIVILITY WORKGROUP
Ready to help build safer, more respectful fire and EMS workplaces?
The Heart of America Workgroup brings fire and EMS departments across the Greater Kansas City area together to put S2S research and best practices directly into action at the regional level.
WHO SHOULD JOIN
Fire and EMS departments and agencies serving the Greater Kansas City area, by invitation.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Collaborate regionally with fellow Greater Kansas City departments to bring S2S research and resources directly to responders, share regional best practices, and coordinate on health, safety, and wellness initiatives.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Active S2S membership required
- Fire or EMS department/agency located in the Greater Kansas City area
- By invitation only
JOIN THE HEART OF AMERICA WORKGROUP
This workgroup is invite-only.