About Our Director

Dave Hostler, PhD, an expert in the field of emergency incident rehabilitation, is the founding director of the Emergency Responder Human Performance Lab (ERHPL). He also serves as chair and professor with the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences.

As director of the ERHPL, Hostler oversees research studies to understand the stresses associated with emergency response and develops interventions to improve the health and safety of the nation’s first responders. He has completed the Fireground Rehab Evaluation (FIRE) Trial and the Enhanced Firefighter Rehab Trial (EFFoRT).

Prior to joining UB, Hostler was an associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. He has more than 20 years of experience in public safety as a firefighter, paramedic and hazardous materials technician.