Contributed by Paul J. Anderson II, M.D. As a firefighter, anything can happen on a shift or a call. That’s why firefighters are trained to always be sharp and ready. But the beverages you consume when you aren’t on duty could impair your performance when the call comes in. Caffeine and alcohol can both have harmful...Read More

“We had an incident where a person lost their life in a grain bin. We all knew this farmer who lost his life. Once we left the scene, I knew it had touched all of us,” explained Chief Jeff Leuer of the West Suburban Fire District, a paid on-call department of 50 firefighters covering 50...Read More

Contributed by MnFIRE Mental Health Director Melinda Coscarelli, PhD, LPCC, LADC As firefighters, you’re taught to always be prepared. Your department spends hours practicing and preparing for that moment when someone calls for help. But how do you answer the call from one of your own? Mental health problems can come in all sizes, from...Read More

To Our Minnesota Fire Service Sisters and Brothers: Everyone at MnFIRE joins the entire state as we mourn the loss of Burnsville firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth and police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge in yesterday’s tragedy. During this difficult time, please remember that the full resources of the MnFIRE Assistance Program are available to all...Read More

Contributed by Nicholas E. Blonien, DO February is American Hearth Month – a time when people are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. While we can celebrate continued advancements in cardiovascular disease (CVD) care and research, this largely preventable disease remains the leading cause of on-duty deaths in the fire service. A recent national...Read More

Cancer is unfortunately now the leading cause of death among firefighters nationwide. Although this subject is certainly crucial year-round, January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, a chance to highlight the potentially life-saving protocols for cancer prevention, while supporting our fire service family members now living with a cancer diagnosis. Beyond personal risk factors like age...Read More

While nutrition alone can’t solve the complexities of a mental health condition, a growing body of research is showing how diets that support brain health can benefit mental health and well-being, and also help reduce stress and improve focus. How nutrients support you Your brain and body need a variety of nutrients to support your...Read More

When you’re going through something stressful or feeling anxious, negative thoughts can make difficult situations and feelings even harder. That’s because how we think affects how we feel, and how we feel affects how we behave. Learning how to get ahead of unhelpful thoughts and reframing them to be more positive can help you get...Read More

Mental health conditions affect people of all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles in all kinds of ways. In fact, about one in five people globally live with a mental health condition. For firefighters, the rates are even higher than the general population – particularly in the areas of sleep disorders, depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress injury...Read More