Honoring the Legislators Advocating for Minnesota Firefighters

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.
Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller is presented with a commemorative bronze axe from MnFIRE.

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:

Senator Paul Gazelka is presented a commemorative bronze axe from MnFIRE.
  • 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/.

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Our very own founder and board member, George Esbensen, recently sat down for an interview with Roshini Rajkumar on The Crisis Files podcast! On the episode, titled "Case File #168: Fire Hazards," George discusses the trailblazing work that MnFIRE is doing to support firefighters across the state. Listen to it here, or wherever you get your podcasts! 🎙️ thecrisisfiles.com/podcasts/case-file-168-fire-hazards/ ... See MoreSee Less

Our very own founder and board member, George Esbensen, recently sat down for an interview with Roshini Rajkumar on The Crisis Files podcast! On the episode, titled Case File #168: Fire Hazards, George discusses the trailblazing work that MnFIRE is doing to support firefighters across the state. Listen to it here, or wherever you get your podcasts! 🎙️ https://thecrisisfiles.com/podcasts/case-file-168-fire-hazards/

This past weekend, MnFIRE President Mike Dobesh traveled to San Bernardino, California for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network Health & Wellness Symposium!

On Sunday, Mike presented on how to create and scale firefighter health and wellness initiatives, and each attendee left his session with a framework for building a similar program in their state. We hope to see our program model used by other states and communities to support firefighters across the country!

Thanks to Aon for participating in the presentation and being an ongoing partner in improving firefighter health outcomes.
... See MoreSee Less

This past weekend, MnFIRE President Mike Dobesh traveled to San Bernardino, California for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network Health & Wellness Symposium! 

On Sunday, Mike presented on how to create and scale firefighter health and wellness initiatives, and each attendee left his session with a framework for building a similar program in their state. We hope to see our program model used by other states and communities to support firefighters across the country! 

Thanks to Aon for participating in the presentation and being an ongoing partner in improving firefighter health outcomes.Image attachment

Thank you Central Raiders Volleyball (Norwood Young America) for fundraising for MnFIRE in honor of First Responder Night! We appreciate your generous support and wish you the best of luck in the rest of your season! 🏐 ... See MoreSee Less

Thank you Central Raiders Volleyball (Norwood Young America) for fundraising for MnFIRE in honor of First Responder Night! We appreciate your generous support and wish you the best of luck in the rest of your season! 🏐Image attachmentImage attachment
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