MnFIRE’s peer supporters are a crucial lifeline to Minnesota’s 20,000 firefighters and their families. By matching firefighters with someone who has experienced similar struggles, we’re making it easier for folks to get the emotional support they need, while reducing the stigma around talking about mental health and suicide that has historically pervaded the fire service.

But who are these peer supporters, and what is it actually like when you call them?

We sat down for an interview with Jim Salentine, a retired Minnesota firefighter and active peer supporter, to give you another glimpse at the dedicated people behind our Peer Support program.

Tell us a little about yourself, your history with the fire service and who you are outside of your role as a firefighter?

I became a firefighter in 1992, then had a gap and came back in 2018. I’m an honor guard member. My first career was in the computer business. I retired in 2018 and prayed about what I want to do when I grow up. I made a pretty big career change from computers/systems to health care. I’m currently working in homecare as the CEO of New Dimensions Home Health Care, so very blessed to try and make someone’s day a little better.

I’m very involved with my church and on a couple of committees, and I coach basketball. My wife is my best friend; we’ve been married since 1986. We have a white Samoyed named Shiloh. I take great pride in taking care of myself both physically and mentally.

My whole goal is to give someone a four-letter word that is huge and it’s called “HOPE.”

Why did you become a MnFIRE peer supporter?

Because I truly believe the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives is what it’s all about. Everyone has a story, and they need to be heard, valued, respected and cared for.

What is the most rewarding part of being a peer supporter?

Spending time listening to people – really listening – being so thankful and saying, ‘WOW, I’ve never felt so good talking to someone about my struggles and issues. I thought it was just me and not being strong.’ I say that’s why God gave us two ears and one mouth – we’re supposed to spend twice as much time listening.

What is the most surprising part of being a peer supporter?

I wasn’t sure I had any other expectations of being a peer supporter, other than the blessings that I’ve received. Meeting people where they’re at and being a confidential resource that cares about and loves them.

What do you see as the most valuable component of the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (HHAP)?

I first became a firefighter back in 1992, and I can say that I wish the HHAP would have been around then. It’s unreal all the support that someone in need can get now. The other thing that is amazing, no issue is too small nor big. You never know when a firefighter is in need of someone who understands. It’s a safe place to know you’re not alone and so many people care about you.

What advice would you give to a firefighter who is looking to improve their mental health?

What you’re experiencing isn’t unusual, you’re not alone. Spend time each day to take care of yourself, eat, sleep, exercise, pray and practice mindfulness.

How to access MnFIRE Peer Support

Call our 24-hour hotline at 888-784-6634. All calls are answered live, 24/7, by experienced mental health professionals, and they can match you with a peer supporter who has had similar life experiences. You can also get connected with a peer supporter using the new MnFIRE PeerConnect app.

Learn more about all of the emotional trauma resources available to Minnesota firefighters and their families at no cost to them on our MnFIRE Assistance Program page.

Our peer supporters are the backbone of the MnFIRE Assistance Program. By matching firefighters with someone who has experienced the same struggles, we’re making it easier for folks to get the emotional support they need while reducing the stigma around talking about mental health and suicide that has historically pervaded the fire service.

But who are these peer supporters, and what is it actually like when you call them?

We sat down for an interview with one of our MnFIRE peer supporters, Angeline (Ange) Appelholm from the South Metro Fire Department, so you can get a glimpse into the people behind this important, life-saving Peer Support program.

Tell us a little about yourself, your history with the fire service and who you are outside of your role as a firefighter?

I currently work in the prevention division at South Metro Fire Department, where I’ve been for 10 years — with the first eight years working on the streets. I joined MnFIRE in 2020 and also volunteer with the Metro CISM team. Outside of my role in the fire industry, I have been married to my husband for eleven years and we have two small kids who keep us busy. The warmer months are spent outdoors, and I love to travel! Health and wellness are extremely important to me, and you can find me in the yoga studio when I have free time.

Why did you become a MnFIRE peer supporter?

After seeing one of my own members at my department battling mental health issues, it became apparent to me that those of us in the industry needed to be the ones making the change and I wanted to be a part of it. MnFIRE was the perfect place for me to start that journey.

What is the most rewarding part of being a peer supporter?

The most rewarding part for me is making a connection with someone who I maybe would have never met before. Part of MnFIRE’s process is connecting you with like-minded people or putting you in touch with someone who has been in your shoes. Even though I’m the peer supporter, the connection goes both ways for me. The fire industry is unique and not easily understood by those not in it and this is a great opportunity for our industry to come together as one big family.

What is the most surprising part of being a peer supporter?

The most surprising aspect for me is that there are so many others out there who have walked a similar path as I have. When you utilize the Peer Support side of MnFIRE, they aim to pair you with someone who has shared experiences. I think this is one of the many reasons that MnFIRE is so successful.

What do you see as the most valuable component of the MnFIRE Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (HHAP)?

I truly think the mental health resources of the HHAP are the most valuable. Mental health in our industry has been overlooked for so long and having something in place for past, current and future generation firefighters is only going to help make this a more sustainable career. No one in the fire industry needs to carry their burdens alone and MnFIRE has made it possible to access mental health care comfortably.

What two suggestions would you share with every Minnesota firefighter to improve their mental health?

MnFIRE has done a great job at teaching the fire industry the signs and symptoms of mental and emotional distress. Some of these signs and symptoms can sneak up on you so just paying attention to what your body needs at the moment is really important. Shift work makes it hard but sticking to a routine as best as possible is so beneficial for our mental health. Also, having your support network intact will be so valuable to you as a firefighter. Having at least one or two people who you trust and who are available at any given hour is essential.

Want to talk to a peer supporter?

Call our 24-hour hotline at 888-784-6634. All calls are answered live, 24/7, by experienced mental health professionals, and they can match you with a peer supporter who has had similar life experiences. You can also get connected with a peer supporter using the new MnFIRE PeerConnect app.

Firefighting is a strenuous job – physically, mentally and emotionally. Call after call, year after year, the stress can add up and lead to detrimental effects, especially for a firefighter’s mental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 13% of firefighters screened positive for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 53% screened positive for both anxiety and depression separately.

With the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE), help is out there. In fact, it’s at your fingertips with the MnFIRE PeerConnect app. In May, the MnFIRE PeerConnect app launched as yet another free health and wellness resource for Minnesota firefighters and their families. It was developed in partnership with First Response Mental Health, an organization that specializes in the stressors that first responders are exposed to, and the support systems in place to protect and support them.

The app, now available to download from both the Apple App Store and Google Play by searching “MnFIRE PeerConnect”, provides users the ability to easily request confidential Peer Support in two easy ways: immediately dial in or request a call back.

Unique to this platform is the opportunity to preview peer supporter profiles and personally select the person you’d like to talk to directly. While all of MnFIRE’s trained peer supporters are ready to lend a listening ear or offer support, this selection can make all the difference in the comfort level of a firefighter asking for help.

In addition, the app serves up a unique feed of firefighter health and wellness information. When you download the app, you immediately gain access to a library of articles and resources focused on improving firefighter health and wellness, all curated and created by MnFIRE’s knowledgeable experts.

The MnFIRE PeerConnect app is another step towards reducing the stigma of asking for help in the fire service. Talking about the challenges we face is not something to be ashamed of, but rather a proactive measure to better health. If you or a firefighter you know is working through a tough time at work or at home and needs someone to talk to who gets it, tell them “there’s an app for that.”

You can also contact MnFIRE’s Peer Support service directly via phone at 1-888-784-6634. Calls to the Peer Support hotline are answered live, 24/7, through PRO Network’s HIPAA-compliant answering service, and their experienced roster of masters-level mental health professionals will work to connect individuals with peer supporters and get them the help they need. No matter if you call or use the app, connecting with the MnFIRE Peer Support team can make all the difference on the path to better mental health and well-being.

To learn more, visit the PeerConnect App page.

Being the spouse, partner or family member of a firefighter is no easy thing. We all know how difficult it can be when your loved one gets called into a dangerous situation – and it’s sometimes just as stressful, if not more, to wait for them to come back home safely. From unpredictable schedules, emotional trauma, increased health risks and more, firefighter families are put through a lot, but MnFIRE is available to help ease that burden.

As part of our free ongoing health and wellness training for all Minnesota firefighters through the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, we’re excited to announce a new training session designed specifically to give fire service spouses, partners and family members the tools and perspective needed to support the mental and physical health of their firefighter loved ones – and their families. The goal of this training is to help spouses and significant others navigate potential challenges that can arise when you have a firefighter in your family, and give you more insight into what your firefighter loved one faces on the job.

“As the spouse and supporter of a firefighter, I have wanted to play a more active role in ensuring he is healthy both mentally and physically while he serves our community,” said a firefighter spouse about the MnFIRE training. “This [training] was exactly what I was looking for. I want to bring this back home with me and share with other fire spouses so they, too, feel equipped with information and action steps if and when needed.”

It’s just as important for firefighter partners and families to practice consistent self-care, seek social support and keep up a routine. If stress is overwhelming your ability to cope, consider talking to a mental health professional. Confidential help is available over the phone or online, anytime for any Minnesota firefighter and their family through the MnFIRE Assistance Program (MAP). Any member of a firefighter’s household, including children living away from home, can access up to five counseling visits a year for free through the MAP. Understanding your loved one’s mental health needs may not only aid in their recovery, but help you cope as well.

The MnFIRE spouse & significant other training is currently being offered at regional sessions throughout Minnesota. Contact us to learn more. You can always find up-to-date resources on the Firefighter Significant Others & Families page of our website as well.

While all systems of the body are important, the heart is the epicenter of it all. That’s why cardiac health is important to consider at all times of the year; however, it becomes even more prevalent during February, which is deemed American Heart Month by the American Heart Association.

There is good reason to raise awareness of heart issues such as heart attack, stroke and cardiac arrest. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. And in the fire service the No. 1 death by injury according to the National Fire Protection Association is cardiac arrest, which doesn’t only affect people with heart disease. Cardiac arrest is also the cause of death for about 436,000 Americans each year.

MnFIRE’s own executive director, Wayne Kewitsch, knows all too well about cardiac arrest and the importance of heart health. Within a seven-month span in 2020, Kewitsch experienced three cardiac arrest incidents, which ended his 25-year career in the fire service.

“I don’t want that to happen to any other firefighters,” said Kewitsch, who is the former Richfield Fire Department Chief.

Two of his cardiac arrests happened about one month apart. The first one, Kewitsch’s wife, Ruth, watched as their son, Jack, performed CPR on Kewitsch in the family’s home before seven Edina paramedics arrived and stepped in. The second incident happened while Kewitsch and Ruth were driving north on Highway 169 for a weekend with friends on Crosslake.

After making a recovery and having surgery to implant a heart defibrillator, Kewitsch is thankful for all the people who helped him. Now he’s helping other firefighters in Minnesota get through or reduce the number of cardiac, emotional trauma or cancer diagnoses through his MnFIRE role.

To help you better recognize a heart incident, know the symptoms.

Heart Attack – when blood flow to the heart is blocked:  

• Chest discomfort
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body such as the arm or shoulder, along with pain in the jaw, neck or back
• Shortness of breath
• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

Stroke – when blood flow to the brain is blocked:

• Face drooping
• Arm weakness or numbness
• Speech difficulty
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion or trouble speaking
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance/coordination
• Severe headache with no known cause

Cardiac Arrest – sudden loss of all heart activity due to an irregular heart rhythm:

• Sudden loss of responsiveness
• Sudden collapse
• No pulse
• No breathing

If you see someone around you experiencing these symptoms, call 911 immediately. For cardiac arrest, performing CPR and using an AED will significantly increase a person’s chance of getting through the incident.

To reduce or potentially even eliminate the chance for a cardiac incident, people can take steps to care for their heart by eating a balanced and nutritious diet, exercising regularly, managing stress in a healthy way and getting enough sleep.

There are MnFIRE resources available for firefighters who have experienced a cardiac incident and those looking to prevent one. As part of the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (HHAP) through the Critical Illness Program, firefighters who are diagnosed with a cardiac illness or another critical illness can receive up to $20,000 to assist with expenses.

Additionally, the HHAP provides free training for departments to become MnFIRE Aware and dive deeper into topics such as cardiovascular health, cancer, emotional wellness and more. Visit the MnFIRE Training section on the MnFIRE website to learn more and to register for a training.

By Dr. Paul Anderson, occupational and lifestyle medicine, HealthPartners

It’s no secret that being a firefighter takes a toll on your body and your mind.

Physically, firefighters perform intense work from the time they leave the station until they put away their gear at the end of a shift. All that intensity seems manageable when you are young, but as you age, managing the physical work can be increasingly stressful and create injuries. Mentally, firefighters witness traumatic events and perform tasks that would be very emotionally difficult for anyone to process. Over time, the mental effects of witnessing trauma, death, poverty, domestic strife, and chronic illness can leave a firefighter dealing with depression, anxiety, and chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The typical firefighter career story starts out with health, strength and mental resilience but ends with a list of health and emotional problems waiting for the firefighter at retirement.

But the typical story is changing for the better, and the old story doesn’t have to be your story. Even basic attention to healthy habits like diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management can slow or even reverse the health effects of working as a firefighter. Over the course of your career, attention to your body and mind can bring you to retirement with your health intact and the emotional energy to enjoy your next chapter.

So, where to begin? The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) identifies 6 pillars of a healthy lifestyle:

1. Healthful eating of whole, plant-based food
2. Increase physical activity
3. Develop strategies to manage stress
4. Avoid risky substances
5. Improve your sleep
6. Form & maintain relationships

Each of these pillars is important by itself and each one of them has profound effects on the other health areas as well. If you are tired of your old health journey and you are interested in finding a new direction for your health journey as a firefighter, take a moment to look over this diagram from ACLM and read a little about the different pillars of a healthy lifestyle. It’s never too late to start building healthier habits for your mind and body. This spring, we’ll take a deep dive on each of these six ares on the MnFIRE blog to help you improve your health.

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.

From the anticipation of beginning a new year to adjusting to whatever else life throws at you, the holiday season can be stressful for many people, but for firefighters and first responders especially so thanks to icy road conditions; increased cooking, heating and electrical hazards; and more.

As you’re celebrating the season with fellow first responders, loved ones and friends, it’s important to stay in touch with how you’re feeling mentally and emotionally, especially after a tough or traumatic call. Here are seven ways to guard yourself against and alleviate potential stressors, during this holiday season and year-round:

1. Be realistic – and optimistic
   You are one person with 24 hours in a day. Avoid putting pressure on yourself to be perfect. Instead, make goals about doing the best you can. Also, look for reasons to be positive. Inviting yourself to take pride in your personal and professional accomplishments, however small they may feel, can go a long way in helping you feel energized and motivated.
2. Set boundaries
   Resist the pressure or urge to make yourself available at all hours for all people. Trying to fit too much into one day can make you less effective and eventually lead to exhaustion. Do what you can to organize your time and tasks, so you’re focusing on the highest priorities first and most. For example, divide errands or chores into “must-do’s,” “could-do’s” and “no-need-to’s” where possible.
3. Take time for yourself
   Make sure to take time for yourself – even if it’s just a few minutes or an hour or two. Also, give yourself permission to decline requests for extra shifts or social invites. Giving yourself downtime to recharge can ultimately help you be more positive and productive overall.
4. Try to limit distractions
   Aim to limit distractions and focus your time and attention on one task at a time. Although it can be difficult to know when the next call will pull you away, dedicating certain hours in the day to one task at a time – such as checking your phone notifications or setting aside time to put on headphones and decompress after a shift – can help you feel more focused and at ease.
5. Take a break
   Relaxation is the natural countermeasure for stress, so do your best to take breaks to help you refresh and recharge. Even short breaks help improve your mood, performance and well-being. Also, schedule in activities you enjoy. When it comes to taking a break, it doesn’t matter what you do, so much as that you do take the opportunity to rejuvenate. If you do feel intensely stressed, consider using relaxation techniques like deep breathing, mediation, yoga or whatever else helps slow your breathing and heart rate to regulate your nervous system and bring you back to equilibrium.
6. Take care of your health
   Even when your schedule heats up, make time for regular exercise, getting enough sleep and eating nutritious foods. All of these can help you be more resilient to stress and feel better overall.
7. Reach out
   Having a solid support system among co-workers and loved ones can help you ultimately feel less stressed and be more productive. In a moment of high stress, having someone to listen to what you’re going through can help calm you down or cool off and reset. Plus, maintaining positive friendships generally correlates to mental health and happiness. That’s because healthy friendships can help keep your spirits up, give you a sense of connection, and improve your self-confidence, among other benefits. Take advantage of peer support and free counseling visits through the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program. Get confidential support and speak to someone who gets it and understands the full experience and challenges of being in the fire service.

For more details or for help, call 888-784-6634 or visit mnfireinitiative.com/hhap/.

Repurposed from MnFIRE Assistance Program partner, Optum

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.