Contributed by Nicholas E. Blonien, D.O.

We started the year with Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month – an important reminder that despite protective gear and other safety measures that firefighters take while on the job, they are still at a higher risk for cancer than the general public.

Due to exposure to carcinogenic compounds and other harmful toxins, those in the fire service community have a 9% increased risk of a cancer diagnosis and 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to those in other professions.

Therefore, it’s especially important for firefighters to prioritize healthy lifestyle choices and habits to combat the unavoidable risks they already face. Keeping overall health top of mind is critical as research shows the general public is struggling in some ways to do so.

Research shows top health risks are lifestyle-driven

A study published by the American Cancer Society examining the number of cancer cases and deaths in the general public pointed to modifiable lifestyle factors that could curb these statistics. With cigarette smoking, excess body weight, alcohol consumption, UV radiation and physical inactivity rounding out the top five risk factors for disease and death in this study – smart and consistent lifestyle choices could make a big difference in changing current outcomes.

In July 2024, the American Cancer Society also published an analysis of cancer burden (excluding skin cancers) attributable to modifiable risk factors in the United States general population. Researchers found that up to 40% of cancer cases and deaths were linked to unhealthy behavior and largely preventable infection.

Health tips and resources for firefighters

So even with occupational exposure to dangerous fumes minimized as much as possible but never completely eliminated for firefighters, what can they do to help neutralize their increased cancer risk overall?

On a personal level, firefighters can focus on good sleep habits, eliminate tobacco use, minimize alcohol consumption, exercise frequently and eat a minimally processed diet high in plants and fiber to try and keep cancer at bay. And while it’s highly encouraged to live as healthy of a lifestyle as possible, at some point it’s hard to avoid illness or injury, and MnFIRE is here to support firefighters at these stages.

MnFIRE and the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program

From a professional and operational standpoint, MnFIRE offers no-cost trainings that focus on firefighter occupational health risks including cancer, cardiac and emotional wellness, plus deep-dive trainings on sleep, nutrition and fitness. Click here to learn more and register your department for a training session.

One of the offerings through MnFIRE’s Hometown Heroes Assistance Program is a critical illness insurance policy covering diagnoses related to a heart attack, cancer, post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) or other critical illnesses. This program provides a lump-sum cash payment of up to $20,000 per diagnosis to assist with expenses. In 2024, 196 claims were paid to firefighters, totaling $1,911,000.

The impact has been significant, with the fire chief for the City of Rosemount recently battling an unexpected cancer diagnosis. He was grateful for the financial support through this program. Read more about his experience.

35 years ago, Kip Springer planned to become a police officer. In hopes of gaining work experience while he earned his law enforcement degree, he became a volunteer firefighter at Eden Prairie Fire Department – and it lit a spark.

“Anybody who starts in the fire service will tell you that there’s just this passion that kicks in,” said Springer. “And that’s where I wanted to be. I was really, really happy being a firefighter.”

He continued as a paid-on-call firefighter with the Eden Prairie Fire Department for 20 years, eventually leaving his construction job in the private sector to become a full-time firefighter. After rising through the ranks during stints at the Plymouth Fire Department and the Eagan Fire Department, he is now Fire Chief for the City of Rosemount.

It was this professional journey through leadership development that led him to his thyroid cancer diagnosis. A vendor at a 2015 Fire Chiefs conference in Colorado was showcasing an artery scanner and Springer gave the new technology a try. While he received a clean bill of health there, the technician noted nodules on Springer’s thyroid and suggested he have them checked by his primary doctor back home.

“My doctor emphasized that a lot of people have these, and it’s usually nothing,” said Springer. “But they put me on a monitoring plan, getting ultrasounds every five years to keep an eye out for any changes.”

On one of those routine visits, it was immediately clear to Springer that the ultrasound technician noticed something different.

“She said, ‘We’ll pass everything on to the doctor and they’ll follow up with you.’ I knew right there something wasn’t right. And unfortunately with [digital charts] nowadays, you can see everything they enter into the system. And so, I knew before the doctor even called me.”

Springer was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Despite being detected early, it was a blow to his family, as his wife had successfully completed breast cancer treatment just six years prior.

“We knew that life. We had to work through those struggles and the financial impacts of my wife not being able to work,” recalled Springer. “We were just digging ourselves out of a hole from the last [diagnosis], and then you get another cancer diagnosis in your family and you just worry so badly about the impact that’ll have.”

Having helped bring MnFIRE training to his fire department, Springer was aware of MnFIRE and the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (HHAP) resources. But he wasn’t familiar with the logistics of filing a critical illness claim. Bolstered by the encouragement of a firefighter friend, he made the call, and received the full benefit of $20,000. It was a prescription for peace of mind.

“With my wife’s cancer, we were digging into savings and cashing out other investments to help cover costs. This time, I didn’t have to worry about that. I could focus on my health. I could focus on my family.”

Springer underwent a thyroidectomy to remove the cancer. He is now cancer free taking medicine daily and receiving annual monitoring checks. His wife is also healthy and received the “all clear” after several scans showed her cancer has remained in remission.

While he appreciated the privacy granted through the HHAP, Springer now feels compelled to share his story with his fellow firefighters, all who face greater occupational health risks such as cancer, cardiac disease and mental health struggles.

“Firefighters need to know these resources are out there for them,” said Springer. “This program can help you so that if the day ever comes, you are not panicking trying to figure out what to do. You already know who to call to get that help.”

Critical Illness Program details

As part of the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, all Minnesota firefighters are automatically enrolled in a statewide Critical Illness insurance policy which covers diagnoses of cancer, cardiac or other critical illnesses, and provides a lump-sum cash payment up to $20,000 to assist with expenses like medical bills and travel costs to and from specialist visits. Qualified claims for diagnosed illnesses from August 1, 2021, and on are eligible. The firefighter has one year from the date of diagnosis to file the claim. For more information or to file a claim, call 888-784-6634 or visit securian.com/mnfire-insurance.

Contributed by Nicholas E. Blonien, D.O.

Hitting a hot sauna may be a daunting thought after fighting a fire for hours, but it could help clear toxicants from the body and boost cardiovascular health.

While utilizing sauna therapy for enhancing the clearance of toxic chemicals and cancer-causing compounds is still being studied, the cardiovascular benefits of routine sauna use are much clearer. And remember, cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of firefighter illness and death.

The sauna environment (that is, extreme heat with or without humidity) triggers a physiologic response in the body that is quite similar to aerobic exercise. Core temperature rises, heart rate increases, peripheral blood vessels in the skin dilate and sweating ensues. Repeating this practice causes the body to adapt and can result in the following health benefits:

• Lower blood pressure
• Improved circulation
• Reduced inflammation
• Improved cholesterol levels
• Improved mental well-being
• Improved tolerance to heat exposure (acclimatization)

Many of these results are similar to the benefits of exercise.

Overall, routine sauna bathing multiple times per week appears to profoundly improve heart health and decrease risk of all-cause mortality. For firefighters without serious health conditions, sauna use is a simple practice that may lead to boosting performance and heart health.

Practice points

• Aim for 20-30 minute sauna sessions, at least twice per week, at or near the temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit. More frequent use (four to seven times per week) has been shown to be more beneficial, yet shorter and cooler sessions can still be somewhat helpful.
• Stay hydrated in the sauna. Bring a water bottle to drink from while inside.
• Ease into it. The high-heat environment may be unsettling at first. You can certainly start with shorter and/or cooler sessions, advancing to goal temperature and duration over time.
• Confirm you’re healthy enough for sauna therapy. For most firefighters, this shouldn’t be an issue, but sauna is intended to place stress on the body (like exercise). Make sure to talk with your doctor about sauna use before starting. For men, sauna use can decrease fertility. So if you’re trying to start a family, you may want to hold off.

For a deeper dive into how sauna therapy works and why it’s beneficial, you might enjoy Dr. Rhonda Patrick’s summary webpage.

Protect your department from cancer and cardiovascular disease

MnFIRE training provides more guidance and support for firefighters around health and wellness activities like this that can help protect them against cancer and cardiovascular disease. Sign up your department for a FREE training here.

Contributed by Nicholas E. Blonien, D.O.

Cancer remains a leading cause of firefighter mortality. Despite marvelous advances in diagnostic technologies and therapeutics, healthy lifestyle choices are still a powerful prevention strategy, especially for those in the higher-risk firefighting field.

Earlier in 2023, leaders in firefighter research published a review of current evidence supporting the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in preventing cancer in the fire service. Here are the main lifestyle interventions they recommend:

1. Target obesity

Obesity increases risk of many cancers by as much as 30-80%, including some that already impact the fire service disproportionately. By decreasing body fat percentage, we can decrease risk of cancer. This starts with nutrition and exercise.

2. Get moving

With increasing rank within the fire department comes increased risk of sedentary behavior, especially when the job calls for more time at a desk behind a computer. By intentionally replacing inactivity with movement, such as “exercise snacks,” cancer risk can go down.

3. Prioritize sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep during a busy shift is impossible, but the negative health effects of this can be limited by optimizing sleep when it’s available, both at the fire station and at home. Establishing a bedtime routine, eating during times when your body is prepared for it, limiting nightly snacking and managing stress will make a huge difference.

4. Minimize alcohol

While there continues to be debate about the harmful effects of alcohol on the cardiovascular system, evidence for alcohol consumption as a risk factor for cancer development is much clearer. And rates of alcohol consumption and binge drinking are high among firefighters. Less is better, none is ideal.

5. Dial in the diet

Firefighters tend to follow a standard Western diet, consisting of processed foods and comfort food snacking. This type of eating has been clearly associated with increased cancer risk. Alternatively, a nutrition plan resembling the Mediterranean diet has been associated with decreased cancer risk. Sticking to mostly plants, healthy oils, nuts/seeds, fish and minimal meat/dairy is the best fuel plan for tactical athletes like firefighters.

A cultural shift is needed to tackle these issues, and a unified firehouse can be powerful. Talk with family and friends, engage leadership, partner with colleagues and ask healthcare providers questions. Little improvements can make a difference and add up to bigger change.

Protect your department from cancer

Learn more about shifting the culture in MnFIRE’s cancer deep-dive training. In this class, firefighters learn the 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. Sign up your department for a FREE training here.

Cancer is unfortunately now the leading cause of death among firefighters nationwide.

Although this subject is certainly crucial year-round, January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, a chance to highlight the potentially life-saving protocols for cancer prevention, while supporting our fire service family members now living with a cancer diagnosis.

Beyond personal risk factors like age and family history, firefighters are often exposed to various hazardous substances on the fireground that are known or suspected to cause cancer. These chemicals are breathed in, absorbed through the skin or eyes, or ingested. If protective turnout gear isn’t adequately cleaned or stored after a call, that can contaminate the fire station, your car, your home and more, and put yourself and others at risk.

At MnFIRE, we’re working to promote a safety culture that emphasizes healthier lifestyles, regular cancer screenings, and reduced exposure to potential hazards.

Little by little, changes to your routine can make a difference. For instance, during and after a fire call, experts recommend protecting yourself by:

• Wearing SCBA
• Conducting gross decontamination on the fireground
• Using gloves to doff PPE/equipment and minimize cross-contamination
• Bagging dirty equipment
• Using wet wipes to clean off soot and other contaminants
• Washing clothes and gear
• Showering within the hour after a call

We’re here to back you up every step of the way. Gone are the days of being macho and showing off dirty gear to prove you did the toughest job. The fire culture continues to shift to prioritize diligently using SCBA and PPE, keeping records of exposures, being honest about how you’re feeling and scheduling regular physicals with your doctor.

Firefighters can learn more about the 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 by scheduling a cancer deep-dive training through MnFIRE. These trainings are presented by fellow firefighters and medical subject matter experts.

In the unfortunate event that you or someone you know is diagnosed with cancer, you’re also not alone, emotionally or financially.

All Minnesota firefighters have been automatically enrolled in our Critical Illness Program through the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program which covers diagnoses of cancer and other critical illnesses, and provides a lump-sum cash payment of up to $20,000 to assist with expenses like medical bills and travel costs to and from doctor’s appointments. For more information or to file a claim, call 888-784-6634 or visit securian.com/mnfire-insurance.

Confidential help and mental health support is available over the phone or online, anytime for any firefighter and their family through the MnFIRE Assistance Program. The Firefighter Cancer Support Network is also available to help Minnesota firefighters and their families following a cancer diagnosis with rapid post-diagnosis resources followed by one-on-one support from fellow firefighters through the diagnosis, treatment and recovery process.

The choices you make as a firefighter will affect you and your family in the future. When we lose a firefighter to occupational cancer or any other firefighter-related disease or illness, it affects our families and our communities deeply. So, let’s do what we can to make a difference today. Minimize daily exposures to carcinogens, mitigate risk factors and fortify your defenses against occupational cancer.

Critical Illness insurance through Hometown Heroes Assistance Program has been a financial lifeline during difficult time

While a colorectal cancer diagnosis is not what Richard Taatjes was expecting after scheduling his first colonoscopy just after turning 51 in April 2022, he faced it just as he does all his life endeavors – with positivity.

“It was stage 4, but right on the cusp so the doctor said, ‘We’ll treat you for a cure and not just to make you comfortable,’” said Richard, who is a firefighter and president of the Walker Fire Department. “I just told him, ‘Of course, we’re going for a cure.’ There’s no other way for me. I’m just crazy positive.”

As Richard worked with his doctors to set up his medical treatments, his fellow firefighters told him about the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, the most comprehensive firefighter well-being legislation in the nation that offers resources to all active Minnesota firefighters – volunteer, paid-on-call, part-time and full-time – for free. Because of his cancer diagnosis, Richard was eligible for the Critical Illness Program, an insurance policy that covers diagnoses of cancer, cardiac and other critical illnesses, and provides a lump-sum cash payment up to $20,000 to assist with expenses.

“It was such a fast process,” Richard said. “I had a deposit in my bank account a week and a half after I sent in my paperwork.”

The cash payment became a financial lifeline for Richard and his family during his cancer treatment. With Richard unable to work his job as a bulk propane truck driver for AmeriGas and his wife going through health issues of her own, the cash payment paid what bills the short-term disability didn’t quite cover. These bills included everything from their insurance deductible and prescriptions to groceries, gas and car repairs.

“It’s so helpful having that financial cushion so you can concentrate on treatments and getting better,” Richard said. “It would have been a completely different animal without it, and I’ll be forever indebted to getting this financial support.”

That’s especially true given this was such an unexpected diagnosis during a routine exam.

“I didn’t have any pain and felt confident going in because I wasn’t feeling bad,” Richard said. “That’s why (colorectal cancer) is called a silent killer. I’m glad I went in. It saved my life.”

Richard received care and treatment nearly 40 miles away in Bemidji, including eight rounds of chemotherapy over the course of four months followed by five weeks of daily radiation.

“I can’t be more thankful for all my great doctors and surgeons,” Richard said.

In November 2022, doctors could find no cancer; however, at his checkup three months later, the cancer had come back in his liver. Richard is currently undergoing another round of chemotherapy.

Between treatments, Richard, who has been a part of the Walker volunteer department for 15 years, helps on fire calls where he is able or if he is feeling well enough.

“Everyone has been nothing but supportive,” Richard said. “We’re all brothers and it feels good to still be a part of it.”

In return, Richard has brought awareness to those around him of resources available to Minnesota firefighters.

“I’ve made it a point to check in with people about getting their colon checked, and with others who are going through any critical illness type stuff to make sure they’re aware MnFIRE resources are available,” he said. “I’ve been designated the local go-to guy for MnFIRE information.”

While the treatment, support of fellow firefighters and the payment from the Critical Illness Program all helped him during this tough time, Richard said one overarching aspect has helped him most through this journey.

“Being positive is what helps me fight this,” he said. “If I had stress in my life – financial or whatever – it would be harder. And I’m a grandfather now. I’ve got too much to do yet.”

For more information about the Critical Illness insurance policy available through the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program – or to file a claim – click here or call 888-784-6634.

As an organization advocating for firefighter health, MnFIRE extends its support for the joint statement regarding PFAS in PPE issued by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association.

The two national organizations presented the statement at the 2023 International Firefighter Cancer Symposium in late February to notify members of the adverse health risks from firefighter turnout gear.

According to the statement, recent studies have shown that all three layers of firefighter turnout gear contain Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), a class of fluorinated chemicals known as “forever chemicals” which have been linked to cancer and other serious health effects.

The IAFF and Metro Chiefs ask firefighters to reduce exposure to PFAS in turnout gear by using the following precautions:

• Turnout gear should NOT be taken into firehouse living areas.
• When transporting gear in personal vehicles, it should be in a sealed container or bag, and preferably NOT transported in the passenger compartment.
• Apparatus cabs should be cleaned regularly and after every fire.
• Wash your hands after handling turnout gear.
• Legacy turnout gear should be replaced as new PFAS-free technologies become available.
• Do not wear turnout gear on responses where this level of protection is not necessary.

Cancer is now the leading cause of death among firefighters nationwide. Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population.

All of us at MnFIRE join the IAFF and Metro Chiefs as we work together to rid the fire service of occupational cancer.

To learn more about cancer risks and mitigation, all Minnesota fire departments are eligible to sign up for no-cost MnFIRE training here.

That’s a wrap on the 2023 Firefighter Health Forum! We appreciate everyone who was able to join us for this important annual conference in central Minnesota filled with meaningful discussions on firefighter health and wellness.

An animated keynote from Dr. Jody Janati shed light on tips and tricks to communicate effectively and with zero drama. And retired Fire Chief Arjuna George shared his personal experience with burnout and his journey to recovery and better self-care during his afternoon keynote.

In breakout sessions for current peer supporters, fire service leaders, and fire service significant others and spouses, we tackled some of the most critical health issues facing Minnesota’s fire service and their families – from Hometown Heroes Assistance Program resources, to how to have difficult conversations with fellow firefighters and prioritize mental wellness.

The first-ever spouses and significant others track at the forum premiered the brand-new Spouses & Significant Others MnFIRE training curriculum that we’re thrilled to provide to firefighter partners and families this year and beyond! We discussed the tools, skills and perspective needed to make smart decisions about the physical and mental health of the family. Here’s what one attendee said about this new avenue of support:

“From day one, eight years ago, when my husband became a volunteer firefighter, I wanted to learn how to support him on the home front. Spouses had zero resources until now. I am so grateful for all the work MnFIRE is doing to empower firefighters and their families.”

Attendees connected over how to best support the health and well-being of their firefighter loved ones, and we discussed the best ways to navigate potential issues that can arise when you have a firefighter in your family.

Thanks again to everyone who made the 2023 Firefighter Health Forum a success, including our keynote speakers Arjuna George and Dr. Jody Janati, the MnFIRE board, and all of our other health expert partners.

If you’re interested in scheduling a FREE follow-up MnFIRE health and wellness training with your entire department, please see our training page for more information. We’ll soon be rolling out training sessions on new topics including sleep, nutrition, fitness, the session for spouses and significant others mentioned above and more.

Save the date

We’re already looking forward to the 2024 Firefighter Health Forum at Grand Casino Mille Lacs on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024. We hope to see you there next year!

Austin fire chief prioritizes firefighter health with MnFIRE training

Firefighters are in an others-first career, often focusing on people who need help before tending to their own needs. As a fire chief, Jim McCoy knows it’s part of his job to give the members of his Austin Fire Department resources to make their health a priority. It’s why McCoy had his department complete MnFIRE training.

“This is one thing we can do for us,” said McCoy, who has been in the fire service nearly 24 years. “Our other firefighter training focuses on helping others, but we need (MnFIRE training) to make sure we are healthy, too.”

From these trainings, McCoy and his department became MnFIRE aware and then dove deep into learning about cancer and cardiac diagnoses along with mental health. The trainings helped them find ways to try to avoid these diagnoses and gave them coping mechanisms for getting through them.

McCoy acknowledged that some cancer can be mitigated by changes such as using more advanced gear, taking showers after calls, washing gear properly and wearing gloves amongst many other tactics. While cardiac issues sometimes depend on an individual’s genetic makeup, McCoy said he can encourage his department to eat healthy and work on physical fitness to help keep them heart healthy. For his own overall health, McCoy and his wife watched MnFIRE’s nutrition training videos online led by Chef Marshall O’Brien. Now the couple continuously works together to cook the nutritious recipes they learned from the training videos.

Mental wellbeing is the one area that needs the most improvement in the fire service, McCoy said.

“Mental health is nothing you can see, and it’s so engrained in us to ‘suck it up,’” McCoy said. “In the past, that term ‘suck it up’ was the norm in the fire service. It was almost as if feelings weren’t allowed.”

McCoy is glad that mentality is changing.

“Now it’s OK to talk about it, have feelings and let people know it’s a struggle,” he said. “Through MnFIRE and other programs, we have routes to deal with mental health – to talk to people and become well again.”

The MnFIRE trainings are part of making that change.

“All the trainings have been wonderful and it’s something that needs to continue,” McCoy said. “The more knowledge we have on prevention the better off we are.”

For more information about MnFIRE Training, visit the training tab on our website.

Minnesota’s annual giving holiday is Thursday, Nov. 17, but you don’t have to wait to support your local firefighters! From now through Nov. 17, visit the MnFIRE GiveMN page and make a donation to help protect the health and well-being of firefighters across the state.

Firefighters continue to face alarming rates of cardiovascular disease, emotional trauma and cancer, but there is hope. We’re equipping firefighters and the people who care about them with critical resources to address this growing health crisis. Firefighter futures across the state have been forever changed because of MnFIRE and the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, and your gift can help us keep the momentum going!

If you give $75 or more this Give to the Max, you will receive a free MnFIRE mug or hat as a thank-you gift from us. And if you give $200 or more, you will receive a free MnFIRE blanket – perfect for cozying up now that winter is here. All of us here at MnFIRE and firefighters across the state appreciate your support!

 

“The support, resources, encouragement and how much they care and stay engaged will be uplifting even in your darkest hours,” Captain William Ewald of the St. Bonifacius Fire Department said about MnFIRE. “It’s a tremendous and valuable resource we all need to use.”

Your gift this week will make a difference in the lives of Minnesota’s 20,000 firefighters – protecting them from cardiac, emotional trauma and cancer by ensuring they receive life-saving services such as free health and wellness trainings, critical illness benefits, mental health provider visits and more. That means happy, healthy and productive lives and careers for firefighters and their families.

Together, let’s continue protecting the health of our hometown heroes! Give at givemn.org/MnFire.