KSTP Features MnFIRE Executive Director Wayne Kewitsch

Wayne Kewitsch brings 25 years of experience in Minnesota’s fire service — and harrowing, first-hand understanding of the dangers firefighters face — to his new role helping firefighters across the state as MnFIRE’s first executive director. On Sunday, KSTP’s Eric Chaloux spoke with Kewitsch about his 20 years with the Richfield Fire Department, including the past nine as chief, and his goals for MnFIRE moving forward.

Kewitsch brings a dramatically unique perspective to the organization, after three recent life-threatening cardiac episodes. Cardiovascular disease is the top killer of firefighters nationwide and is by far the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service. Kewitsch is working to prevent health scares like his own from happening to any other firefighters.

Consequently, Kewitsch is leading MnFIRE’s efforts to provide all of Minnesota’s 20,000 firefighters with free health and wellness training to become “MnFIRE Aware” of their own occupational risks, thanks to a $400,000 grant from the Fire Service Advisory Committee. The training, taught by firefighters and other health experts, teaches firefighters how to protect themselves from the three most common problems experienced by firefighters: cardiac, emotional trauma and cancer, so they can continue to do their jobs and protect others.

“We want to make sure we take care of our firefighters while they take care of the community,” says Kewitsch.

Thanks to Eric Chaloux for highlighting this critical work. Watch the full interview here.

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Have you utilized the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program? We want to hear from you!

If you or a loved one has accessed critical illness benefits, emotional trauma resources or peer support through the MnFIRE Assistance Program, or MnFIRE training, we invite you to share your personal experience with us through this survey: forms.gle/RznafowU82g7fk1QA
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Have you utilized the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program? We want to hear from you!

If you or a loved one has accessed critical illness benefits, emotional trauma resources or peer support through the MnFIRE Assistance Program, or MnFIRE training, we invite you to share your personal experience with us through this survey: https://forms.gle/RznafowU82g7fk1QA
4 days ago
MN Firefighter Initiative

MnFIRE is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization providing Minnesota firefighters the tools they need to prioritize and protect their health.

For more information, visit mnfireinitiative.com/
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MnFIRE is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization providing Minnesota firefighters the tools they need to prioritize and protect their health.  

For more information, visit https://mnfireinitiative.com/

Talking about self-care is trendy, but it’s also very important to your health and well-being in the fire service. This month, learn why taking care of yourself is so important, especially if you take care of others, and steps you can take to achieve it: optumeap.com/newthismonth

And explore all of the other free mental health benefits available to you through the MnFIRE Assistance Program: mnfireinitiative.com/hhap/#firefighterhealthh#wellbeinglbeing
... See MoreSee Less

Talking about self-care is trendy, but it’s also very important to your health and well-being in the fire service. This month, learn why taking care of yourself is so important, especially if you take care of others, and steps you can take to achieve it: https://optumeap.com/newthismonth

And explore all of the other free mental health benefits available to you through the MnFIRE Assistance Program: https://mnfireinitiative.com/hhap/#MAP  #firefighterhealth #wellbeing

If you or a firefighter loved one has been diagnosed with a critical illness, we're here to help.

As part of the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, all active Minnesota firefighters are automatically enrolled in Critical Illness insurance, at no cost to you. This benefit can cover diagnoses of cancer, cardiac and other critical illnesses like severe cases of COVID-19, and provides a lump-sum cash payment up to $20,000 to assist with expenses like medical bills and childcare.

For questions or to file a claim, visit mnfireinitiative.com/hhap/#CI.
... See MoreSee Less

If you or a firefighter loved one has been diagnosed with a critical illness, were here to help.

As part of the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, all active Minnesota firefighters are automatically enrolled in Critical Illness insurance, at no cost to you. This benefit can cover diagnoses of cancer, cardiac and other critical illnesses like severe cases of COVID-19, and provides a lump-sum cash payment up to $20,000 to assist with expenses like medical bills and childcare.

For questions or to file a claim, visit https://mnfireinitiative.com/hhap/#CI.
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