Sara Jahnke, Ph.D.

Firefighter Research

Sara Jahnke, PhD, is the director and a senior scientist with the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research at the National Development & Research Institutes - USA. With over a decade of research experience on firefighter health, Dr. Jahnke has been the principal investigator on 10 national studies as well as dozens of studies as a co-investigator. Her work has focused on a range of health concerns, including the health of female firefighters, behavioral health, risk of injury, cancer, cardiovascular risk factors, and substance use, with funding from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant R&D Program, the National Institutes of Health and other foundations. Jahnke has more than 100 publications in the peer-reviewed medical literature. Awards include the 2019 Endowed Lecture at the annual conference of the American College of Epidemiology; the 2018 President’s Award for Excellence in Fire Service Research as well as the Excellence in Research, Safety, Health & Survival Award, both from the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC); and the 2016 John Granito Award for Excellence in Firefighter Research from the International Journal of Fire Service Leadership and Management. Connect with Jahnke on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.

Full list of Sara Jahnke, Ph.D. results

Know your numbers: Tracking physical and behavioral health
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Firefighters can take control of their health by monitoring their behavior, tracking symptoms and identifying risk factors
Study shows transitional attack may reduce toxic fireground exposures
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Researchers compared firefighters’ exposure to toxins during different fireground tasks and attack types
PFAS exposure and risks: Your questions answered
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Older bunker gear may expose firefighters to harmful chemicals
Fire service stress: Firefighters reflect on the impact of the job
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Study reveals firefighters’ feelings about the trauma witnessed on the job and its impact on homelife and emotions
Fire doesn’t discriminate, but gender plays a role in firefighter safety
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Research shows that female firefighters face different risks than their male counterparts
Modifiable risk: Firefighter cancer prevention
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To reduce an individual firefighter’s relative risk of contracting cancer, they must limit risk factors on and off the fireground
Mitigating firefighter cancer risks through lifestyle
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Firefighters are exposed to harmful carcinogens on the job, but they can take steps to limit their exposure in other ways
Firefighters must practice self-care to achieve post-traumatic growth
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In the wake of tragedies, first responders must be willing to listen to their emotions and practice self-care whenever possible
Using gloves to doff firefighter gear: Overkill or a necessary SOP?
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Are you exposing yourself, your crew and even your family to carcinogens by the way you remove your firefighter gear?
5 evidence-based guidelines for fatigue management in fire/EMS
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Expert opinion and guidelines can frame this important fire/EMS health and safety issue and guide future research and progress
A national call for firefighter cancer prevention
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Shifting cultural expectations in the fire service and firefighter personal stories are contributing to adoption of best practices in cancer prevention and intervention
Does firefighter gross decon work?
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Researchers measured carcinogen exposure on turnout gear and firefighters' skin to compare decon methods
Prevent, identify and treat sleep disorders in firefighters
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Firefighters are more susceptible to sleep disorders and their inherent dangers and health implications
Does firefighting increase the risk of dementia or ALS?
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Firefighters and researchers examine a probable risk factor, like toxin exposure, and its relationship to cancer, cardiovascular disease and other illnesses
How 1 fire department built a cancer-prevention plan
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Fire departments across the country are looking for ways to head off cancer; research and existing plans are out there to copy and modify
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