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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Sunday, Sept. 14 marked day two of Miles for MnFIRE, the more than 150-mile walk from Duluth to St. Paul to raise awareness and funds for firefighter health.

Walkers Doug Foote and Kyle Bode trekked from Esko to Mahtowa, stopping at Carlton Fire and Ambulance and a few other picturesque spots on the Willard Munger Trail. Take a look!

To read more about today's journey, visit our blog here: mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire-day-2/

To donate to the cause or learn where you can find us on the trail, click here: mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/
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Sunday, Sept. 14 marked day two of Miles for MnFIRE, the more than 150-mile walk from Duluth to St. Paul to raise awareness and funds for firefighter health. 

Walkers Doug Foote and Kyle Bode trekked from Esko to Mahtowa, stopping at Carlton Fire and Ambulance and a few other picturesque spots on the Willard Munger Trail. Take a look! 

To read more about todays journey, visit our blog here: https://mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire-day-2/

To donate to the cause or learn where you can find us on the trail, click here: https://mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/Image attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment

Miles for MnFIRE 2025 is underway!

This morning, Minnesota firefighters Doug Foote and Kyle Bode started the more than 150-mile walk from Duluth to St. Paul, all to raise awareness and funds for firefighter health.

To donate or read more about the event, including which communities they will be visiting on their journey, visit mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/
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Miles for MnFIRE starts TODAY! Doug Foote and Kyle Bode are off and walking more than 150 miles to raise awareness and funds for firefighter health.

Want to support their exciting journey with a cause? Donate before Sept. 21 to double your impact! Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, all Miles for MnFIRE donations up to $10,000 will be matched dollar for dollar. And what's more – those who donate $200 or more and receive a Miles for MnFIRE hat! Give now to make an even bigger difference for firefighters in your community: mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/
... See MoreSee Less

Miles for MnFIRE starts TODAY! Doug Foote and Kyle Bode are off and walking more than 150 miles to raise awareness and funds for firefighter health.

Want to support their exciting journey with a cause? Donate before Sept. 21 to double your impact! Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, all Miles for MnFIRE donations up to $10,000 will be matched dollar for dollar. And whats more – those who donate $200 or more and receive a Miles for MnFIRE hat! Give now to make an even bigger difference for firefighters in your community: https://mnfireinitiative.com/miles-for-mnfire/

It was a great day representing MnFIRE at the St. Paul Fire Foundation golf tournament at Oak Glen Golf Course in Stillwater. We were honored to support as a hole sponsor! ⛳ ... See MoreSee Less

It was a great day representing MnFIRE at the St. Paul Fire Foundation golf tournament at Oak Glen Golf Course in Stillwater. We were honored to support as a hole sponsor! ⛳
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