Chris Parsons Memorial Fund

The entire Minnesota fire service mourns the loss of St. Paul Fire Captain Chris Parsons, who passed away on June 15, 2023.

As president of the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters, principal officer of IAFF Local 21 and a founding board member of MnFIRE, Chris was a fervent champion for firefighter well-being, which will forever be part of his legacy.

He was particularly focused on championing legislation that banned PFAS, cancer-causing chemical fire retardants. With his family’s permission, MnFIRE has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money that will go toward PFAS research and its impact on firefighters.

Visit the Chris Parsons Memorial Fund for PFAS Research GoFundMe page.

Chris was a selfless servant and has positively impacted the lives of every single Minnesota firefighter and their families. He will be missed.

Recent News

Peer Support: Rewarding part of Cory DeWitte’s fire service career
January 13, 2026
MnFIRE Receives 2025 Partnership Award from Minnesota Incident Command System
December 15, 2025
Therapy saves firefighter’s life and longtime career
December 3, 2025
2026 Firefighter Health Forum coming in January
November 20, 2025
Supporting men’s mental health
November 6, 2025
Firefighter Mandee Marx offers a trusting ear as a MnFIRE peer supporter
October 21, 2025
Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, and there's no better time to take advantage of our no-cost cancer training. You and your department can learn:

🟠 Activities that increase risk for developing cancer
🟠 Proper PPE strategies for mitigating cancer risks
🟠 What types of screenings can be done to catch cancer early

Schedule a training today: mnfireinitiative.com/training/
... See MoreSee Less

January is Firefight

Dr. Margaret Gavian will kick off the very first session of our 2026 Firefighter Health Forum – a can't-miss presentation full of practical ways to stay grounded and resilient in mind and body. 🚒

Attending the Firefighter Health Forum on Jan. 23-24 will help you stay physically and mentally healthy for the long run. Registration closes tomorrow, Jan. 8 – secure your spot now! www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-firefighter-health-forum-registration-1964377725657?aff=social
... See MoreSee Less

Meet Aaron Zamzow of Fire Rescue Fitness – one of our expert speakers at the Jan. 23-24 Firefighter Health Forum. Aaron will present on how to build a healthy and fit culture within your department AND ways to strengthen resilience. 💪

Aaron said it best – these sessions will benefit not only you, but also your crew and your family. Register now and reap the benefits all year long! Deadline to register is Jan. 8. www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-firefighter-health-forum-registration-1964377725657?aff=social
... See MoreSee Less

Load more
Skip to content