By MnFIRE Assistance Program partner, Optum

People in the fire service experience much higher rates of mental health challenges than the general population – particularly in the areas of sleep disorders, depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal ideation/action. The stigma associated with mental health conditions causes many firefighters to stay quiet about what they’re really experiencing – and not seek treatment. They might perceive themselves to be “weak,” feel ashamed, or tell themselves it’s “just a phase” that’ll pass if they push through. They might worry about being treated differently or losing their jobs. Or, they just might not know where to begin finding help.

This is all to say, one of your fellow firefighters may be suffering in silence. You can help set the tone in your department so mental illness is destigmatized, and people feel encouraged to seek out help when they need it.

Learn the signs

While different mental health conditions have different symptoms, with variances depending on the person, early warning signs include behavior changes over time that last for two or more weeks. For example, a previously energetic, reliable colleague now consistently seems fatigued, shows up late and looks disheveled. They also seem angry, irritable, and prone to outbursts.

Some common signs of mental illness include:

1. Excessive worrying or fear
2. Persistent sadness, hopelessness or “empty” feeling
3. Lack of concentration
4. Extreme mood changes, including irritability or anger
5. Changes in eating habits, energy level or sleeping patterns
6. Delusions and/or hallucinations
7. Increased use of alcohol or other substances
8. Persistent physical aches and pains
9. Suicidal thoughts
10. Lack of interest in activities
11. Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress
12. Intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance

Reach out

If someone you know is showing warning signs and needs help coping with a situational or chronic mental health condition, reaching out can make a difference. Consider using the method like “NOTICE. TALK. ACT.™” from American the Psychiatric Association.³

If you notice a person is exhibiting the warning signs that last for two or more weeks, find a quiet place to ask, “Are you OK?” Compassionately and nonjudgmentally provide a few examples of what’s worrying you. Do not assume you know what is going on. Listen with the aim to learn more from their perspective. Remind them we all have challenging times in life, and getting extra support and guidance can help us get through those times. Recommend they consider taking advantage of the free counseling sessions available to them through the MnFIRE Assistance Program, or to call MnFIRE’s 24/7 peer support hotline, both available at: 888-784-6634.

Then, check back in with the person in a day or two to see how things are going. Please note: If you are worried about the person’s immediate safety, do not leave the person alone. Seek emergency assistance.

Be an ally

You also can help create a supportive environment, increase awareness and reduce stigma for those in your department who are struggling. For example, commit to using respectful and compassionate language to describe or talk about mental health. Using derogatory terms perpetuates discrimination and stigma. It also dehumanizes the people living with mental health conditions, dismisses their experiences and can discourage them from asking for support.

In addition, intervene if you overhear others using verbally abusive language, and challenge misconceptions when you see or hear them.

You can make a difference.

Most of us have probably felt the strain of our job or the difficulty of balancing the fire service with other areas of our lives. It’s easy to try to muscle through it knowing we have an important job helping others and keeping them safe. However, there comes a point where we need to let others help us. And it doesn’t need to be a crisis to reach that point.

With May as Mental Health Awareness Month, we at MnFIRE want to make sure all fire service members know the resources available to those of us in the field. Through the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (HHAP), every active firefighter in the state – full-time, part-time, paid-on-call or volunteer – has access to mental health support – all free!

It comes through the MnFIRE Assistance Program (MAP), one of the three elements of the HHAP. In the fire service, we encounter unique emotional and mental stresses. We need people who understand the distinct and specific stresses and challenges we encounter. This program focuses on providing mental health care specifically to us – firefighters and our families. And it doesn’t matter the size of the help needed, whether through a big crisis or a small issue, the MAP program can steer us in the right direction. There are two ways to access help – calling 888-784-6634 or visiting www.mnfireinitiative.com/hhap/#MAP.

One of the best parts about this program is having it available to our families. Our time in the fire service affects them, too. They have their own unique set of stressors. Any member of a firefighter’s household, including children living away from home, can access the interactive website or contact a trained specialist. Each firefighter and/or their family members can receive up to five counseling visits a year with additional support ensured as needed.

No call or inquiry is too small. Simply look at the website or dial the phone. There is someone there to talk you through what is available. If something major happened in your life or if you’re just feeling stressed, the MAP program is here to help.

Another great part of MAP is the peer support program where firefighters are paired with a trained peer supporter who knows firsthand the difficulties firefighters face. They are fellow fire service members in Minnesota who are there to lend a listening ear or offer support, all completely anonymous. They are well-equipped to walk alongside us as we encounter life at the firehall, on calls and beyond.

We don’t need to muscle through challenges alone. There are people ready and willing to help no matter the size of the problem. It doesn’t need to be a crisis to ask for mental health help.

International Firefighters’ Day is observed each year on May 4. Born out of a tragic loss of five firefighters in a wildfire in Victoria, Australia, this day was created to honor their lives, as well as firefighters around the world.

This International Firefighters’ Day, we recognize and honor the sacrifices firefighters make across the globe, and especially those here at home in Minnesota, to ensure their communities are safe. Thank you for all you do!

We also want to honor the firefighters who have been lost in the line of duty or passed on before us – many due to the occupational hazards of cardiovascular disease, suicide and cancer.

We value the work and contributions our volunteer and career firefighters dedicate to our communities every day. As we reflect on that, we know investing in their health and well-being is a moral imperative!

In Minnesota, we can show our support and appreciation to firefighters at home by making sure they have all of the physical and mental health resources they need to prioritize and protect their health, and prevent and/or tackle cardiovascular disease, emotional trauma and cancer.

Thankfully, the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program is now here to provide free resources for all of Minnesota’s active firefighters – volunteer, paid-on-call, part-time and full-time. These vital resources include:

• The MnFIRE Assistance Program, offering expanded emotional trauma resources for firefighters and their families, including five counseling visits a year and peer support.
• An up-to-$20,000 Critical Illness insurance policy which covers diagnoses of cancer, cardiac and other critical illnesses.
• Ongoing health and wellness training on the different health risks facing firefighters.

We invite you to honor and support your local firefighters today by making sure they’re aware of these important – and completely free – health resources.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for two days of educational and inspiring firefighter health conversations at the Firefighter Health Forum! This inaugural symposium gathered medical and mental health experts and fire service leaders from across the state. We’re so thankful to all who attended for sharing their stories and engaging with our speakers.

Dr. David Griffin, assistant chief of administration in Charleston, South Carolina, kicked off the event with his keynote speech, “Wake Up!” Dr. Griffin was the operator of the first due engine on June 18, 2007, when nine of his fellow firefighters perished in the disastrous Charleston Sofa Super Store fire. In his presentation, he shared his personal account of that day and the aftermath of coping without any formal mental health supports in place. This incident was the catalyst for a lot of organizational changes in the fire service across the country, but that didn’t happen overnight.

Dr. Griffin’s experience serves as a powerful reminder that when your mind is injured, you need to treat it as seriously and carefully as any physical injury to get better and get back to your work and life. He spoke about how we all need to “wake up” to make real cultural change in the fire service around supporting both mental and physical health to do our jobs safely and effectively. Firefighting is a job that will affect you for the rest of your life, and to change a culture, the hearts and minds of the members must be affected – from the bottom to the top.

In breakout sessions, we tackled important subjects for mental health providers supporting their firefighter clients – like the biggest health concerns in firefighting, the psyche of firefighters, how to keep firefighters engaged in the treatment process, what types of screenings are appropriate for firefighters and more. Fire service leaders and peer supporters learned about how to access new Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (HHAP) resources, helping fellow firefighters and their families through personal and professional challenges, implementing well-being strategies in their departments and more.

These sessions taught us that we can make a lasting impact on fellow firefighters and firefighter patients, supporting them so they can do their jobs safely, continue to help their communities and come home to their families at the end of the day.

At the event banquet, Gov. Tim Walz shared a video message with the fire service leaders, firefighters, peer supporters and mental health professionals in attendance about his support for the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program. “We must do everything we can to make sure our firefighters are healthy and safe in their workplaces, and that they have what they need to heal and live long lives,” Walz said.

Thanks to everyone who made the Firefighter Health Forum come to life, including Dr. David Griffin, Dr. Melinda Coscarelli, Dr. Margaret Gavian, Dr. Zeke McKinney, Tammy Huf, Dean Salita and Mary Beth Boyce from Schmidt & Salita Law Team, Rochelle Hawthorne, Joe Meuwissen, Chief Mike Dobesh, Chief Andrew Heger and Deputy Chief Jeremie Baker.

As firefighters, we’re in training mode for life, so thank you to all who attended for taking the time to learn more about protecting and supporting the health and well-being of firefighters. We hope to see you next year!

Christian Worby, a firefighter for the Coon Rapids Fire Department, at first thought the pain in his side he started experiencing in summer 2020 was a fractured rib. The 42-year-old didn’t seek medical attention because he figured the treatment plan for such a break is allowing it to heal on its own; however, when the pain continued off and on for over a year, Christian knew something else was wrong.

In October 2021, a biopsy revealed Christian had multiple myeloma, a non-curable cancer of the plasma cells. It is a situation becoming all too familiar with firefighters across the state. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 68% of all firefighters will develop some form of cancer in their lifetimes, a rate much higher than the general U.S. population.

Thankfully for firefighters in Minnesota, the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (HHAP), the most comprehensive firefighter well-being legislation in the nation, passed through the legislature last year. The HHAP offers financial support for cancer diagnoses through the MnFIRE Critical Illness program, which provides a lump-sum cash payment up to $20,000 to assist with expenses. The Critical Illness benefit also covers diagnoses of cardiac, COVID-19 and other critical illnesses. Christian said this program has allowed his family to focus on treatment rather than financial worry due to the cancer diagnosis.

In addition to maxing out their deductible, the Worby family has been paying out of pocket for gas money to travel to weekly appointments at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, along with accommodations while away from home and receiving treatment. Plus, Christian will not have enough sick time to cover the minimum of six weeks he is away while having chemotherapy treatment and a stem cell transplant. The Critical Illness program can help with all of these extra expenses.

“I was blown away when I heard about [the Critical Illness program],” Christian said.

Christian thought submitting a claim for the Critical Illness program was an easy process. After making a phone call, creating an account and sending in paperwork, his application was approved.

“It’s great having the extra financial support,” Christian said. “It’s an extra safety net. It’s an expensive deal having a major illness.”

For five months after his diagnosis, Christian was able to continue working while doing a mild chemotherapy treatment. At the beginning of April, Christian started an intensive six-week chemotherapy treatment and stem cell transplant, which requires him to stay in Rochester.

“They take my stem cells out to keep them safe and then give me a traditional high dose of beat-the-heck-out-of-you chemo,” he said. “Then they slowly give me my stem cells back and let my body figure out which way is up again.”

To show support, fellow Coon Rapids Fire Department firefighters shaved their heads the day before Christian began his treatment, a moment highlighted on KARE 11 recently.

While multiple myeloma is found in the general population, it is found more often in firefighters. Only 20% of the cases found are discovered in those under the age of 50.

“Because I’m so young it wouldn’t surprise me if being a firefighter was a contributing factor,” Christian said.

While Christian knows the cancer is not curable, it is treatable. And Christian wants to fight the illness to gain as much time as possible to share time with his wife and together watch their two young sons – ages 7 and 2 – grow.

“For some people, it’s aggressive cancer, and some people, it’s not, so I just cross my fingers and remember I’m comparatively young,” he said.

While the diagnosis is challenging for his family, he is thankful for the HHAP.

“We’re very fortunate in Minnesota we’ve had people working on [the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program], and that we have it available to us,” Christian said. “It’s a smooth application process and if you qualify and you heard about it, then why wouldn’t you apply? It would be really unfortunate if someone was able to apply for this assistance but had no idea it existed.”

Christian was also recently interviewed by WCCO about these new HHAP resources.

All Minnesota firefighters have been automatically enrolled in this statewide Critical Illness insurance policy. To learn more about the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program or to file a claim, visit mnfireinitiative.com/hhap.

We are counting down the days until the Outdoor Memorial Day “Murph” event! This exciting fitness event will take place in Long Lake, Minnesota. It includes a workout done in memory of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, New York, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005. The workout includes the following: one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats and a one-mile run.

Firefighters can choose to do the challenge in their gear, or without, and as written or scaled as much as needed. Departments are also welcome to take on the challenge as a team.

Half of the proceeds from this event will go to supporting MnFIRE’s mission of providing Minnesota’s firefighters with the resources they need to prioritize and protect their health. The other half will go to charities supporting veterans.

Learn more and register at MemorialDayChallenge.com.

We’re just a few weeks away from the Firefighter Health Forum on April 22-23 at the JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America. This exclusive symposium will gather cardiac, cancer and mental health experts and fire service leaders from across the country to share the latest information, in-depth research and techniques related to firefighter health.

There are four distinct tracks available, each specifically designed for Minnesota fire service leaders, medical providers, mental health providers and peer supporters. The complete event schedule has been announced – view it here.

Medical and mental health providers can earn up to 6.0 CME credits for attending important sessions about the biggest health concerns in firefighting, the psyche of firefighters, how to keep firefighters engaged in the treatment process, what types of screenings are appropriate for firefighters and more. After all, it’s crucial that our mental health and primary care providers have the knowledge, skills and tools to treat the unique concerns of Minnesota’s 20,000 firefighters.

Fire service leaders and peer supporters will learn about how to access new Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (HHAP) resources, helping fellow firefighters and their families through personal and professional challenges, implementing well-being strategies and more. The peer supporter track is offered at no cost and participation supports MnFIRE’s peer supporter ongoing education.

We’re excited to announce Dr. David Griffin as our keynote speaker!

Dr. Griffin was the driver of the first engine to respond to the disastrous 2007 Charleston Sofa Super Store fire that claimed the lives of nine of his fellow firefighters. Since then, he has become a dynamic motivational speaker and has dedicated his life to spreading his knowledge of organizational learning and leadership.

Other event speakers include Dr. Melinda Coscarelli, medical director of the MnFIRE Assistance Program Provider Network, Dr. Margaret Gavian, medical director of MnFIRE Peer Support, Dr. Zeke McKinney, HealthPartners occupational & environmental medicine specialist, and more. All of these experts have worked directly with Minnesota first responders on complex mental and physical health issues related to their time on the job, from cancer and cardiac disease to PTSD. Learn more about our event speakers here.

Register today for 25% off

There’s still time to register for this exclusive educational and networking symposium dedicated to firefighter health. Sign up now through April 1 for 25% off registration – use discount code “FHF25” at checkout. Click here to register. We’ll see you there!

MnFIRE thanks Sarah Moe from Sleep Health Specialists for guest authoring this blog and sharing her expertise around this critical component of wellness. 

It’s National Sleep Awareness Week – a whole week dedicated to bringing awareness to the importance of sleep! Does this sound excessive to you? If you’re thinking “we all sleep every single night. What other awareness needs to be brought to it?”, you’re not alone. Yet given the fact that human beings (are SUPPOSED to) sleep eight hours each night, we collectively know very little about it. Truthfully, this is because we do not learn about our sleep from a young age the way we learn about the other aspects of health. With focus placed on gym class and the food pyramid, we are raised to believe that being healthy means eating right and working out. We’ve missed so much over the years.

Luckily, we seem to be catching up. This pandemic has placed the spotlight on health and well-being in a new way, and hopefully we won’t be going back. So, this is the perfect time to learn how our sleep co-exists with the mission of MnFIRE – providing Minnesota’s firefighters the tools they need to prioritize and protect their health – specifically related to cardiac, emotional trauma and cancer.

Sleep and cardiac
With all of the recent studies done around sleep and heart health, it is becoming increasingly clearer how important those nighttime zzz’s are. The average person is getting 1.2 hours of sleep less than we did 50 years ago, and it is causing significant cardiac issues. When we are sleeping, our heart rate and blood pressure are drastically reduced, giving our systems a much-needed break and chance to reset for the work of the following day. In fact, short sleepers, those who get less than six hours each night, are 48% more likely to die from coronary artery disease.

On top of that, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing at night, has been shown to have a direct correlation with cardiac stress. OSA is an extremely prevalent sleep disorder, and it is estimated that over 80 million Americans are suffering undiagnosed. Demographically, many first responders fall in this category so diagnosis and treatment are crucial to maintaining optimal heart health.

Sleep and emotional trauma
Trauma and mental well-being have a frustrating relationship with sleep. When we experience trauma, our minds do not have an easy time processing and moving on. The work of understanding its impact is grueling and not at all within our control. While some individuals can put things in a little brain box and never look back, most will find themselves immersed in reliving traumatic situations over and over in their mind – wondering why these things happened, if there was anything we could have done to change the outcome or how long until it doesn’t hurt as much? These thoughts are all-consuming and tend to prevent us from falling asleep. Unfortunately, getting a bad night of sleep leads to a hormonal imbalance the following day. The hormones that regulate mood, motivation and resilience are thrown out of balance and may lead to an anxiety-filled day. When we have those days, it makes it even harder to fall asleep that night. We’ve now entered the vicious cycle of poor sleep and mental well-being. We cannot have one without the other, and they are so impactful to each other.

The easiest way to break this chain is to focus on sleep. Doing what it takes to get the proper quantity and quality sleep will set you up with the neurological tools needed to tackle all that may come.

Sleep and cancer
In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified night shift work as a “probable carcinogen,” which is something likely to cause cancer. That is because people who work the night shift then have to attempt to sleep during the day. Unfortunately, that goes against most of our circadian rhythms, and we find that it is quite difficult to get restful consolidated sleep in the daytime hours. With reduced sleep time, our natural killer cells, or cancer fighting cells, reduce as well. On top of that, hormones like cortisol and melatonin that are shown to influence the rate of cancer growth are deregulated too. That means not getting sufficient sleep leaves us more vulnerable to many types of cancer.

While this information may seem frightening, it’s actually good news. The research and development of sleep medicine is giving us more information than we’ve ever had, and this information allows us to use all tools in order to stay as healthy, happy and productive as possible. If that sounds like the type of life you would like to live, taking your sleep seriously is a great way to ensure you will achieve that goal. The old airplane cliche is true: We have to put on our own oxygen masks before we can help others. And a great way to ensure we can be at our best to continue serving our community is by getting those zzz’s.

MnFIRE recently launched the MnStore – an online store where those interested in supporting our mission can buy MnFIRE-branded merchandise, like t-shirts, hats and sweatshirts. Support our mission of helping Minnesota firefighters prioritize and protect their health, and add some great looking pieces to your wardrobe in return! These also make great gifts for the firefighters in your life. Here are a few of our favorite items:

1) MnFIRE Torrent Waterproof Jacket – Our versatile, fully seam-sealed jacket offers outstanding waterproof protection to keep you dry whether you’re on the job or on the trail. Folds into a convenient carry pouch for easy, compact storage.

2) MnFIRE Hat – This stylish and classic trucker hat will protect your eyes, while also spreading awareness about MnFIRE.

3) MnFIRE Endeavor 1/4 Zip Pullover – With a subtle heather texture and moisture-wicking technology, this lightweight 1/4-zip will help you achieve all your performance endeavors.

4) MnFIRE Core Cotton Tee Shirt – Show your support wherever you go with a comfy cotton t-shirt sporting our MnFIRE branding.

Check out all the full line-up of MnFIRE apparel options at our MnStore. Thanks for supporting our mission!

In July 2021, the state legislature passed the most comprehensive firefighter well-being legislation in the nation. The bipartisan Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (HHAP) dedicates $4 million per year to ensure that every Minnesota firefighter will have access to the education, prevention and care needed to handle a cardiac, emotional trauma or cancer diagnosis.

We are so thankful to the bipartisan group of legislators and fire service leaders who took action to make this happen. Over the past few months, we have had the privilege of recognizing the legislators who were instrumental in passing the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program with our highest honor – commemorative bronze axes.

A token of our gratitude, these axes commemorate their leadership in the fight for firefighter health and wellness. The legislators awarded with, or soon to be awarded with, commemorative axes include:

• Senate HHAP Co-Author Senator Steve Cwodzinski (D – 48)
• Senator Paul Gazelka (R – 09)
• Senate HHAP Author Senator Jeff Howe (R – 13)
• Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller (R – 28)
• House Speaker Melissa Hortman (D – 36B)
• House Public Safety Chair Representative Carlos Mariani (D – 65B)
• House HHAP Author Representative Cheryl Youakim (D – 46B)

Thanks to the generosity of the Minnesota Legislature, 20,000 volunteer, paid-on-call, part-time and full-time firefighters across the state have an opportunity to deeply benefit from these new resources.

This major milestone for firefighter health combines three vital elements: an assistance program with expanded emotional trauma resources, an up-to-$20,000 critical illness policy, and ongoing health and wellness training. All active Minnesota firefighters – volunteer, paid-on-call, part-time and full-time – can access the MnFIRE Assistance Program, are automatically enrolled in the Critical Illness insurance policy and can receive training – all at no cost.

Minnesota firefighters can receive help for a crisis, find out more information or file a claim by calling 888-784-6634 or visiting mnfireinitiative.com/hhap/.