Contributed by Nicholas E. Blonien, DO February is American Hearth Month – a time when people are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. While we can celebrate continued advancements in cardiovascular disease (CVD) care and research, this largely preventable disease remains the leading cause of on-duty deaths in the fire service. A recent national...Read More
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...Read More
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...Read More
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...Read More
You’re invited! Join us Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Onamia to experience meaningful health and wellness training at the second annual Firefighter Health Forum. The inaugural Firefighter Health Forum in 2022 was such a success – gathering mental health experts and fire service leaders from across the state, and sparking...Read More
A major health diagnosis, especially cancer, can be a lot to process. There are likely medications, hospital stays or ongoing doctor appointments to manage. This can mean a disruption of daily routines and usually a halt in work schedules. Plus, it’s mentally taxing on everyone – the individual, family members, friends and loved ones included....Read More
The MnFIRE team is gearing up for the 2022 MnFORE Golf Tournament on Monday, July 25 – and we hope you’ll join us! The golf tournament will be held at the Bearpath Golf & Country Club in Eden Prairie on the luxurious Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. All proceeds benefit MnFIRE, which provides Minnesota’s firefighters with...Read More
By MnFIRE Assistance Program partner, Optum People in the fire service experience much higher rates of mental health challenges than the general population – particularly in the areas of sleep disorders, depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal ideation/action. The stigma associated with mental health conditions causes many firefighters to stay quiet about what...Read More
Most of us have probably felt the strain of our job or the difficulty of balancing the fire service with other areas of our lives. It’s easy to try to muscle through it knowing we have an important job helping others and keeping them safe. However, there comes a point where we need to let...Read More
International Firefighters’ Day is observed each year on May 4. Born out of a tragic loss of five firefighters in a wildfire in Victoria, Australia, this day was created to honor their lives, as well as firefighters around the world. This International Firefighters’ Day, we recognize and honor the sacrifices firefighters make across the globe,...Read More
