There is a crisis in our fire service – more and more Minnesota firefighters are tragically losing their lives due to cardiac issues, emotional trauma and cancer. As a result, it’s critical that all MN firefighters receive training to become “MnFIRE Aware” of their occupational health risks as soon as possible. This training is ideal for departments who have not had previous MnFIRE trainings and is taught by firefighters and other health experts. Thanks to a grant from the Fire Service Advisory Committee (FSAC), this training is being offered both virtually and in-person at no cost to MN fire departments through June 30, 2021.
These two-hour sessions are catered toward those who have already completed our MnFIRE Awareness Training and want further education on the different health risks facing firefighters. These trainings are available whenever it’s convenient for your department, either in-person or virtually. These classes are tailored to both department leadership, and firefighters themselves.
After just three hours of fighting fires, firefighters experience hardened arteries and impaired heart function. With that level of health risk, every firefighter deserves to be given the resources needed to protect their cardiovascular health. In this class, we’ll look at heightened risk factors, the types of cardiovascular diseases that most commonly impact firefighters, and prevention strategies to help firefighters lessen their risk.
The emotional and disturbing calls we go on can stick with us – and it’s important to recognize how the stresses of the job can negatively impact our mental health. Sadly, too many in the fire service are ashamed or afraid to ask for the help they need. This class will help de-stigmatize talking about mental health in your department, as well as provide practical information around how to properly debrief after a difficult call with your team, ways to maintain emotional well-being and what resources are available for those who need help.
More than 68% of firefighters will develop some form of cancer in their lifetimes. This tragic reality underscores the critical need for more Minnesota firefighters to be aware of their higher risks for cancer – and what they can do to help prevent it. In our cancer deep-dive class, we’ll educate firefighters on activities that put them at higher risk for developing cancer, proper PPE strategies for mitigating cancer risks, and what types of screenings can be done to catch cancer early.
MnFIRE has partnered with Chef Marshall O’Brien Group to share a program designed specifically for firefighters that helps you be safer on the job and more pain-free after an event. There are a total of five no-cost training sessions with valuable information on nutrition, hydration, sleep and physical activity by teaching you what to do at the fire station and at home. Chef Marshall O’Brien is an MBFTE-approved instructor and all attendees will receive a certificate of completion for CEU/class time credit.