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Last Call for Free MnFIRE Training

Marshall Fire Chief Quentin Brunsvold recently hosted the MnFIRE cardiac and cancer deep dive sessions for his department this spring. He shared how these trainings have had an immense impact on both his personal health and the health of his department.

Brunsvold heard the saying, “Are you the firefighter you want coming to rescue your family?” and before MnFIRE training, his answer was no. He knew he wanted and needed to do better for himself, his family, his fellow firefighters and the community he swore to protect.

“Between my full-time occupation, my other full-time occupation as the fire chief of a paid-on-call fire department, and my wife and four children under four years old, finding time and motivation was extremely difficult, in my head,” Brunsvold said. “[The MnFIRE training] really opened my eyes for what I should be doing, to be a better example to our firefighters.”

“I’m proud to say that the training gave me the motivation to want to be better, work out and eat better. I have the motivation and the knowledge to accomplish my goal.”

MnFIRE Awareness Training provides an overview of the main health risks associated with firefighting, as well as tips for prevention and screening. Two-hour deep dive sessions are catered toward those who have already completed our MnFIRE Awareness Training and want further education on cardiac, emotional wellness or cancer issues.

“We obviously train on accountability, how and when to rehabilitate firefighters and other fireground safety initiatives, but how often is the fire service prepared to train us on what we should do to take care of ourselves both mentally and physically when we aren’t wearing our turnout gear?” Brunsvold said. “In my 18-year fire service career, thanks to MnFIRE, the Awareness Training was the first time.”

Chief Brunsvold believes the most expensive piece of firefighting equipment is the firefighter. If our brothers and sisters in the fire service can’t take care of themselves, there won’t be anyone to run the other equipment our communities are paying for to keep people safe.

“This isn’t the normal training that we might use for structural firefighting, incident command or rescue situations – this is how to take care of YOU!” Brunsvold said.

Protecting your community starts with protecting yourself. So, what are you waiting for?

Sign up your department for training here. Thanks to a grant from the Fire Service Advisory Committee (FSAC), MnFIRE Awareness training and cardiac, emotional wellness and cancer deep dive sessions are being offered both online and in-person at no cost to Minnesota fire departments through June 30, 2021.

“Chiefs and training officers, take the six hours of free training available to you and give your firefighters the tools they need to succeed both in civilian life and life around the firehouse,” Brunsvold said.

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Kudos to Marshall, MN Fire Department for recently completing sleep training – a deep-dive class focused on helping firefighters in their department rest well. 💤

Shift work and nighttime disruptions prevent most firefighters from getting adequate sleep on a consistent basis, but our sleep training can help. Find more information about all our training options: mnfireinitiative.com/training/
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Kudos to Marshall, MN Fire Department for recently completing sleep training – a deep-dive class focused on helping firefighters in their department rest well. 💤

Shift work and nighttime disruptions prevent most firefighters from getting adequate sleep on a consistent basis, but our sleep training can help. Find more information about all our training options: https://mnfireinitiative.com/training/

Firefighter advocates ☑️
Personal stories ☑️
Awareness ☑️

Schedule a MnFIRE training for your department today: mnfireinitiative.com/training/
... See MoreSee Less

Firefighter advocates ☑️
Personal stories ☑️
Awareness ☑️

Schedule a MnFIRE training for your department today: https://mnfireinitiative.com/training/

At MnFIRE, our hearts beat for firefighter health. ❤️

If you're a Minnesota firefighter, check out our Hometown Heroes Assistance Program resources, or spread the love and share with a firefighter you know! mnfireinitiative.com/hhap/
... See MoreSee Less

At MnFIRE, our hearts beat for firefighter health. ❤️

If youre a Minnesota firefighter, check out our Hometown Heroes Assistance Program resources, or spread the love and share with a firefighter you know! https://mnfireinitiative.com/hhap/

At lunch during the Firefighter Health Forum, Monte Fronk, Head of Tribal Emergency Management for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, presented Garrison Fire and Rescue Captain and MnFIRE peer supporter Jen Elleraas with a special gift.

Garrison Fire and Rescue is a volunteer fire department and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe – one of 11 federally recognized tribes in Minnesota – is one of the largest
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At lunch during the Firefighter Health Forum, Monte Fronk, Head of Tribal Emergency Management for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, presented Garrison Fire and Rescue Captain and MnFIRE peer supporter Jen Elleraas with a special gift. 

Garrison Fire and Rescue is a volunteer fire department and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe – one of 11 federally recognized tribes in Minnesota – is one of the largest communities they serve. Under Jen’s leadership, the department has worked to improve its communications and outreach, including participating in the annual Mille Lacs Band fire prevention/safety day at the tribal schools on the reservation and assisting Monte with already established NFPA 1300 community risk reduction efforts. 

Jen was recently recognized as the 2024 MSFCA Fire Officer of the Year for populations under 10,000. But to personally thank Jen and show his appreciation, Monte gave her a traditional gift of a blanket that recognizes her passion and efforts to improve safety for the Mille Lacs Band. Thanks for all you do, Jen!
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