Not about tradition or titles — about action.
The CRACKYL Advisory Board brings together leaders, experts, and advocates committed to advancing firefighter health, wellness, and leadership — and to challenging the thinking that holds the fire service back.
Their expertise keeps CRACKYL honest, credible, and connected to the real needs of the people we serve. Through open dialogue and collaboration, the board turns ideas into action, so firefighter wellness keeps evolving with the fire service itself.
Fire Service Leader, Educator and Author
More than 31 years with the FDNY, where as Deputy Assistant Chief he led the Fire Academy, Training, and Safety commands. Now managing director of the First Responder Center for Excellence, he lectures internationally on leadership and preparedness. Author of Cornerstones of Leadership — On and Off the Fireground and co-author of 30 Fires You Must Know.
Epidemiologist, Firefighter Health Researcher and Public Safety Advocate
Dr. Jahnke directs the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research and is a Senior Principal Investigator at NDRI-USA, with more than a dozen national studies on firefighter cancer, cardiovascular risk, behavioral health, and injury prevention. A fellow of the American College of Epidemiology, she has authored 100+ peer-reviewed publications and holds the IAFC President's Award for Excellence in Fire Service Research.
Fitness Expert, Author and Creator of P90X
Creator of the best-selling P90X series, which revolutionized home fitness, and the force behind Power Nation Fitness and PowerSync 60. Author of Bring It!, Crush It!, and The Big Picture, he champions training built for performance, longevity, and active aging.
Biomechanics Researcher, Injury Prevention Specialist and Firefighter Wellness Advocate
Dr. Frost is an assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Toronto whose research focuses on movement, musculoskeletal health, and the physical demands of high-risk work. A registered kinesiologist, he contributes to the IAFF's Wellness-Fitness Initiative and the Peer Fitness Training Program for Firefighters.
Retired Fire Captain, Leadership Advocate and Mentor
A retired fire captain with 22 years at Minnesota's Eden Prairie Fire Department, certified as an EMT, HazMat technician, apparatus operator, and Blue Card hazard zone manager. A founding member and president of the North Star Women's Firefighter Association, she has worked since 2006 to elevate women in the fire service — work recognized with the Eden Prairie Athena Award.
Founder of Food On The Stove and Health Advocate
A D.C. firefighter and founder of Food on the Stove, a nonprofit taking on the fire service's leading killer — heart disease — through nutrition and fitness. His work turns the firehouse kitchen, where firefighters cook all three meals, into a tool for better health.
Writer, Actor and Creator of Tacoma FD
Founding member of the Broken Lizard Comedy Group and co-writer/star of Super Troopers, Beerfest, and The Slammin' Salmon. As creator and star of Tacoma FD, he brings the camaraderie and culture of firehouse life to millions.
Fire Service Leader, Speaker, Advocate and Mentor
As Vice-President of Women in Fire, Rachael builds mentorship, education, and support that empower firefighters at every level. A respected speaker on leadership, workplace culture, and well-being, she advocates for a fire service where every member has the tools to thrive.
Retired Fire Chief, President of CVFSA and Emergency Management Expert
National President of the Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association and a retired deputy fire chief with three decades in public safety. He supervises operations at Emergency Medical Care Inc. and serves on Nova Scotia's radio interoperability advisory committee, specializing in emergency field communications.
Ret. Fire Chief, Firefighter Health Advocate and Leadership Expert
Retired fire chief of the Pasadena (CA) Fire Department and president of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, with more than 31 years in fire/EMS. He holds the Chief Fire Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and speaks nationally on firefighter wellness and cancer risk reduction.
Fire Chief, Firefighter Health Advocate and Educator
Chief of Department in Ogunquit, Maine, and Vice-President of Education with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, where he helped build the nationwide Taking Action Against Cancer in the Fire Service program. A speaker, author, and advisor to panels including DetecTogether, he has trained thousands of firefighters on cancer prevention.
Driving innovation in emergency response through policy, data, and global collaboration
Dr. Moore-Merrell is a distinguished public-safety leader whose career spans federal administration and international organizations. An expert in strategic planning, data analysis, and community risk assessment, she has worked with White House staff, cabinet officials, and industry leaders to advance firefighter health and operational effectiveness.
Public Safety Health Advocate and Researcher
Chief Operating Officer at HeartFit for Duty and Vice-President of Science to the Station, partnering with fire departments and law enforcement nationwide on cardiac disease and cancer risk. A recognized leader in public-safety health, she is a voting member of two NFPA committees and the ACOEM Public Safety Medicine Committee.
Fire Service Health Consultant, Nurse Practitioner and Reproductive Health Expert
A nurse practitioner with over 30 years in the Fire/EMS community — and two career-firefighter sons — Melissa serves as an elected Fire Commissioner in Dutchess County, New York, and holds the state's first Deputy Coordinator role for First Responder Health and Wellness. Her focus is the critical, often-overlooked territory of reproductive health in the fire service.
Fire Service Leader, Mental Health Advocate and Researcher
Battalion Chief with the Raleigh (NC) Fire Department and behavioral health program manager at the First Responder Center for Excellence. Founder of North Carolina Peer Support, her research and teaching focus on firefighter suicide prevention, trauma, and resilience.
Retired Fire Chief, Leadership Coach and Burnout Specialist
A retired fire chief with 24 years of service and founder of Silver Arrow Coaching & Consulting, Arjuna coaches first responders and leaders through burnout prevention, stress management, and leadership development. His trauma-informed approach draws on Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises and self-leadership training.
Scientist, Researcher and Wellness Advocate
Dr. Hollerbach is associate scientist and deputy director of the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research at NDRI-USA — and a former firefighter. With a PhD in kinesiology, she leads FEMA-funded studies on firefighter well-being and cardiovascular health, with particular focus on female firefighters.
Tactical Health Expert, Strength and Conditioning Coach and Injury Prevention Specialist
Director of Tactical Strength & Conditioning for Southern California University Health Systems and former strength and conditioning coach of the Sacramento Fire Department. Named the NSCA's TSAC Practitioner of the Year in 2018, he is also an Emmy winner for his work on CA POST's Officer Wellness — Silent No More.
Resilience Expert, Author, Speaker and Leadership Trainer
Author, speaker, and corporate trainer with 30 years in firefighting and rescue operations, and co-author of Developing Firefighter Resiliency. Through his Leadership by Fire keynote and team training, he applies neuroscience and evidence-based practice to building resilience before crisis hits.
Fire service psychologist, mental health advocate, and behavioral wellness educator
Dr. Wheldon, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder and president of the Fire Service Psychology Association. Formerly director of behavioral health for the Los Angeles Fire Department, she contributes to National Fire Academy curriculum and teaches fire service behavioral health nationwide.
Professional Counselor and Mental Health Researcher
Dr. Edwards is a licensed professional counselor and assistant professor of psychology at Tennessee Tech University, where he leads the TTU Responder Health Lab. With two decades in the fire service and a background as an advanced EMT, his research centers on the psychological impact of emergency response careers.
Communication Expert, Mental Health Researcher and Educator
Dr. Craw is a communication researcher and educator specializing in health communication for first responders and their families. A certified Mental Health First Aid trainer — and the daughter of a police officer and granddaughter of a firefighter — she studies how better communication improves access to mental health support.
Driving firefighter wellness and longevity through plant-based nutrition, performance, and advocacy
Former world-class triathlete and Austin firefighter who introduced plant-based eating to his firehouse — the experience behind his national bestseller The Engine 2 Diet. As founder and CEO of PLANTSTRONG, featured in Forks Over Knives and an executive producer of The Game Changers, he connects nutrition to firefighter longevity.
Optimizing sleep, recovery, and resilience for firefighter performance and well-being
A firefighter and certified sleep science coach, founder of Biohacked Firefighter, and developer of Tactical Sleep Rescue. She equips first responders with practical, science-backed strategies against shift work, sleep debt, and chronic fatigue.
Leading transformational change, inclusive culture, and sustainable progress in the fire service
Deputy Fire Chief and executive-level change agent with consulting experience across 14 countries in inclusion, emergency management, and sustainability. Holding an MSc in sustainable development, she brings a global perspective to building inclusive, health-forward fire services.
Driving leadership excellence, strategic management, and advocating for firefighter health and well-being
A public-safety leader with more than 34 years across fire/EMS operations, training, incident command, and emergency management. A certified fire officer and National Registry Paramedic (MA, CFO, MIFireE), he focuses on leadership excellence and organizational resilience.
Elevating fire service leadership, culture, and performance through practical strategy and action
Retired deputy fire chief, international speaker, and best-selling author of 12 books including Step Up and Lead. Host of the Flashpoint: The Fire Inside podcast and co-creator of FireOpsOnline.com, he delivers leadership programs to audiences from the Department of Defense to ExxonMobil.
Integrating technology, strategy, and health to empower the future of fire service
A technology strategist and public-safety innovator who spent more than a decade at W.S. Darley & Company launching solutions from packaged water innovations to VR training tools. Founder of SmartFireFighting.com and the Sofen Consulting Group, and host of the SDGTalks podcast.
If you’re a fire service professional, clinician, researcher, or industry leader who shares our commitment to firefighter wellness, introduce yourself at hello@crackylmagazine.com.
