Episode Details

Dr. Kellie O’Dare is a nationally recognized researcher and educator focused on advancing mental wellness, suicide prevention, and organizational resilience within public safety. In this second conversation we discuss the successes seen by deparments that moved to the 24/72, the corrolation between organisational betrayal, finding accurate fire service suicide statistics and so much more.

Kellie serves as Research Associate Professor and Deputy Executive Director of UCF RESTORES. She is also the Founder of the 2nd Alarm Project. With a Ph.D. in Social Work and background in public health and policy, her work centers on translating research into practical, sustainable solutions.

She has secured more than $8 million in external funding to advance applied research, prevention initiatives, and statewide capacity-building efforts for public safety. She is especially passionate about supporting first responder families, recognizing their critical role in resilience and long-term wellbeing. In addition to her professional expertise, Dr. O’Dare brings meaningful personal connections to the fire service.

She is the niece of Shawn T. O’Dare, a firefighter/paramedic killed in the line of duty in Miami-Dade County, and the spouse of a current Florida professional firefighter/paramedic. Her work is grounded in both the science of and her lived experience in the first responder community.