It was 22 years ago when Ellen Kling decided to join the fire department in Ceylon. Her husband Larry had been active at the department since high school, and she was drawn to the comradery she had seen in the fire service. “You don’t have to like each other, but yet when you get to...Read More
The 2023 MnFORE Golf Tournament presented by Aon was another beautiful day on the links! We’re so thankful to all of the golfers, volunteers and generous sponsors who joined us at Bearpath Golf & Country Club in the name of Minnesota firefighter health and wellness. The funds raised at MnFORE will help MnFIRE continue to...Read More
MnFIRE’s peer supporters are a crucial lifeline to Minnesota’s 20,000 firefighters and their families. By matching firefighters with someone who has experienced similar struggles, we’re making it easier for folks to get the emotional support they need, while reducing the stigma around talking about mental health and suicide that has historically pervaded the fire service....Read More
Our peer supporters are the backbone of the MnFIRE Assistance Program. By matching firefighters with someone who has experienced the same struggles, we’re making it easier for folks to get the emotional support they need while reducing the stigma around talking about mental health and suicide that has historically pervaded the fire service. But who...Read More
Contributed by Paul J. Anderson, M.D. As firefighters, we’re no strangers to hard physical work. Wearing turnout gear and equipment in extreme heat while dealing with an emergency can push you to your physical limits. In fact, heart attacks are the number one cause of death on the job for firefighters year after year. Other...Read More
Critical Illness insurance through Hometown Heroes Assistance Program has been a financial lifeline during difficult time While a colorectal cancer diagnosis is not what Richard Taatjes was expecting after scheduling his first colonoscopy just after turning 51 in April 2022, he faced it just as he does all his life endeavors – with positivity. “It...Read More
Firefighting is a strenuous job – physically, mentally and emotionally. Call after call, year after year, the stress can add up and lead to detrimental effects, especially for a firefighter’s mental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 13% of firefighters screened positive for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 53% screened positive...Read More
Being the spouse, partner or family member of a firefighter is no easy thing. We all know how difficult it can be when your loved one gets called into a dangerous situation – and it’s sometimes just as stressful, if not more, to wait for them to come back home safely. From unpredictable schedules, emotional...Read More
As an organization advocating for firefighter health, MnFIRE extends its support for the joint statement regarding PFAS in PPE issued by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association. The two national organizations presented the statement at the 2023 International Firefighter Cancer Symposium in late February to notify members of the...Read More
Contributed by Dr. Nick Blonien, Occupational & Environmental Medicine Poor sleep quality is a public health epidemic, and a problem estimated to burden nearly half of American adults. Decreased physical and cognitive performance, adverse health outcomes, decreased safety and lost productivity are some of the consequences seen in individuals who are underslept. And as we...Read More
