A lot of people talk about wanting to forget 2020 ever happened, but for MnFIRE, there’s at least one thing created this year we want to keep with us as we move forward: the powerful anthem designed to call attention to our mission.

In January, the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE) and American singer-songwriter Larry Long partnered to release a song that highlights the need to do more to protect the health of Minnesota’s firefighters. The song, called “Firefighter (Duty, Honor, Courage),” was written with MnFIRE as an anthem for the state’s firefighters as the 2020 legislative session kicked off and the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (SF2264 and HF1782) was up for consideration. A few weeks later, Long and the American Roots Revue launched a moving music video for the song, which features real images from some of our state’s largest fire calls in recent years.

With the lyrics, “They say there’s no money it’s really no will//To knock out the demons that so often kills//The firefighter who can’t get no slack//From policymakers who don’t have their back,” the song and video were created with an eye toward Minnesota legislators, who will once again consider a bill in early 2021 that promises real change for firefighters facing these health issues. The Hometown Heroes Assistance Program would establish a much-needed statewide appropriations of funds to help those firefighters facing cardiac, emotional trauma and cancer diagnoses.

Minnesota musician Long – an accomplished troubadour and Smithsonian Folkways recording artist – was inspired to write “Firefighter” – along with MnFIRE president George Esbensen – after he accompanied firefighters on a call to a business fire.

“While on that fire run, I was so deeply struck by the brave and hardworking people that save our lives daily. The firefighter filled with ‘Duty, Honor, and Courage’ represents everything worth standing up and striving for as a nation,” said Long. “When I discovered the high rate of heart disease, cancer and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among firefighters, I felt the calling to write ‘Firefighter.’ For there’s no better time than now to urge policymakers to give all that it might take for us to support the physical and emotional well-being of those who serve us.”

2020 has indeed been a tough year, so if you’re looking for some inspiration and an amazing tribute to our state’s fire service, you can view the video and download a free copy of the song HERE.

As we’re looking ahead to the next legislative session in early 2021, the disparity between fire service spending in Minnesota versus nearly every other state continues to put our hometown heroes in danger.

Minnesota ranks 48th in the nation in per-capita fire service spending, despite being the 21st most populous state and 12th largest in area. Critical funding shortages throughout Minnesota departments make it difficult for fire service leaders to prioritize firefighter health measures and equipment, such as department-wide health checkups, gear-cleaning tools and mental health resources.

All public decision-makers, from the State Capitol to city halls, must make the Minnesota fire service a funding priority, not simply to protect the lives and property of Minnesotans, but to give firefighters the help they need to stay healthy and optimally productive in service to their communities.

MnFIRE is currently lobbying Minnesota legislators for $7.3 million to start moving the needle toward appropriate funding for firefighter health. The Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (SF2264 and HF1782) will ensure all of Minnesota’s 20,000 firefighters have access to the care needed to handle a cardiac, emotional trauma or cancer diagnosis. The Hometown Heroes Assistance Program will:

• Provide a statewide “Critical Care” policy for all Minnesota firefighters which covers diagnoses of cancer or cardiac issues. Coverage amount is $30,000 per diagnosis.
• Create a MnFIRE Assistance Program (MnAP) for all Minnesota firefighters targeting emotional trauma issues unique to the fire service.
• Ensure additional MnFIREAP support for firefighters who remain in need beyond initial treatment sessions.
• Support ongoing annual MnFIRE Awareness training for every Minnesota firefighter. Changing the current culture in the Minnesota Fire Service is integral to long-term reduction of the incidences of cancer, emotional trauma and cardiac.
• Sustain annual MnFIRE Awareness Training for medical doctors and mental health professionals statewide so all firefighters in Minnesota have regional access to informed and trained medical professionals to help with prevention, mitigation, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, cardiac and emotional trauma.

We must confront the health issues facing Minnesota’s fire service with the same bravery, determination and commitment our firefighters bring to protecting Minnesotans.