The Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE) is excited to welcome two new board members to our leadership team. In January 2026, Jen Elleraas and Caleb Feine were officially voted onto the board of directors, both of whom have established histories with MnFIRE.

Elleraas, a firefighter and EMT with the Crosslake Fire Department, has served as a MnFIRE peer supporter since March 2022. She joined the fire service in 2019 and has held various leadership roles including captain and assistant chief with the Garrison Fire Department. She is also the founder of Women Explore Fire Day in Minnesota, demonstrating her passion for recruiting more women to enter the fire service.

“I’m humbled to be trusted to advocate for and stand behind my brothers and sisters in the fire service,” said Elleraas. “It is truly an honor to continue living out and advancing the mission and legacy MnFIRE has created to protect firefighters in Minnesota.”

Elleraas’ professional background includes over 20 years of leadership experience in human services. She is the 2025 Whelen Everyday Champion and 2024 Minnesota Fire Chiefs Association Fire Officer of the Year for cities under 10,000.

Caleb Feine has also invested many years contributing to the MnFIRE mission as a MnFIRE instructor and peer supporter. Following in the footsteps of several family members, he joined the fire service in 2006. In his current role as assistant fire chief for the Rochester Fire Department, Feine oversees operations – prioritizing strong, compassionate leadership centered on the physical and mental well-being of all first responders. He is also the Assistant State Director of Minnesota for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.

“Joining the MnFire Board of Directors is a true honor,” said Feine. “Like many in the fire service, my goal is to leave it better than I found it, and serving on this influential board provides a meaningful way to make that impact.”

Elleraas and Feine join President Mike Dobesh, Vice President Amber Lage, Treasurer Ed Hoffman, Secretary Ken Bence and Scott Vadnais on the MnFIRE Board of Directors.

“The momentum we have moving into 2026 is exciting,” says Dobesh. “Jen and Caleb have made valuable contributions to MnFIRE over the years and their passion and dedication to the health and wellness of Minnesota’s fire service is evident. We’re grateful for their willingness to further our mission by serving in this capacity.”

George Esbensen and John Wolff, both MnFIRE co-founders and former officers on the board of directors, have ended their board terms but will stay connected to MnFIRE and its mission through a new advisory board.

MnFIRE was recently recognized for its swift and compassionate crisis response. On behalf of MnFIRE, Board President Mike Dobesh recently received a 2025 Partnership Award from the Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS), an interagency group of state and federal partners that manage wildfire and all-risk incidents.

The honor recognizes MnFIRE’s exemplary response and support during the tragic line‑of‑duty death of wildland firefighter Isabella “Bella” Oscarson on September 26, 2025. MnFIRE, along with the organization’s mental health partner PRO Network, was one of the organizations that quickly stepped forward to provide vital resources and emotional support to Bella’s family and the Minnesota wildland fire community.

William Glesener, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife operations supervisor, noted deep appreciation for MnFIRE’s dedication and actions that match the values Bella lived by – teamwork, empathy and unwavering commitment to those who protect our lands and each other.

“We were greatly saddened by firefighter Oscarson’s line-of-duty death a few months ago. Moments like these remind us why MnFIRE’s ability to quickly deploy resources to support families and colleagues is so important,” said Dobesh. “Thank you for this recognition. We continue thinking of her loved ones during this difficult time.”

To learn more about our health and wellness resources for firefighters, including our Peer Support Program and no-cost counseling visits, please visit the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program page or call 888-784-6634.

We’re thrilled to share George Esbensen has been named to the 2025 Notable Nonprofit Board Members list by Twin Cities Business. He joins an impressive group of experienced board members who lend their expertise in a variety of fields to help organizations serve the public.

In George’s case, he has created a tidal wave of change within the Minnesota firefighter community. He has made lasting impact as a longtime fire chief in Eden Prairie and as a co-founder of the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE) nonprofit in 2016 with two other experienced fire service members. MnFIRE’s mission has always been to provide resources for the three most common health risks that firefighters face: cardiac issues, emotional trauma and cancer.

After years of getting MnFIRE off the ground, under George’s tenure as board president in 2021, MnFIRE rallied the state’s fire service to persuade the state legislature to pass the most comprehensive firefighter well-being legislation in the nation. The Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (HHAP) dedicates $4 million per year to provide life-changing resources to Minnesota’s 20,000 firefighters – all at no cost to them or their department.

“George was instrumental in developing and leading the strategy of outsourcing key health benefits to the private sector, which enabled MnFIRE to begin providing benefits quickly,” said Mike Dobesh, president and co-founder of MnFIRE. “His passion for helping fellow firefighters is unmatched, and his leadership has enabled MnFIRE to grow, reach and improve the lives of thousands of Minnesota firefighters and their loved ones.”

George continues to be a tireless advocate for increased support of firefighters when it comes to their health and wellness. He was recently on KARE-11 explaining how MnFIRE was launched, the training opportunities and resources that are available, and two notable events to increase awareness and funds for the nonprofit this year. George was also a guest on the The Crisis Files podcast this month with host Roshini Rajkumar to discuss MnFIRE’s important work fighting the “silent killers” firefighters face.

Miles for MnFIRE is a walk across Minnesota that raises awareness and much-needed funds for firefighter health. The more than 150-mile journey kicked off on Sept. 13 in Duluth and made its way through numerous Minnesota communities, including Carlton, Willow River, Hinckley, Pine City, Rush City, North Branch, Hugo and Vadnais Heights. The walk ended today on Sept. 21 at the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol in St. Paul.

Day 9

Starting location: White Bear Lake, MN
Finish: St. Paul, MN
Miles completed: 12
The weather report: 75 and sunny

On the final day of Miles for MnFIRE, it was all about celebrating and cheering on firefighters Doug Foote and Kyle Bode as they completed their walk of more than 161 miles over a nine-day period to raise awareness of the health risks that firefighters face.

With the sun shining brightly, they completed another 12 miles on their walk that took them from White Bear Lake to St. Paul today. With their final miles in the Twin Cities area, many family, friends and fellow community firefighters showed up in a big way to support and walk with Foote and Bode during the last leg of their journey.

Members of the White Bear Lake Fire Department, Vadnais Heights Fire Department, Little Canada Fire Department, Excelsior Fire District, Minneapolis Fire Department and St. Paul Fire Department were represented along Sunday’s route.

On September 13, Foote and Bode started Miles for MnFIRE in Duluth and today, September 21, they crossed the finish line at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial at the State Capitol with the American flag beautifully risen between a St. Paul fire truck and a Minneapolis fire truck. A total of five fire trucks from St. Paul, Minneapolis and Excelsior lined up to celebrate and support their own on this amazing accomplishment.

MnFIRE President Mike Dobesh and Executive Director Rebecca Otto thanked everyone who helped plan and support the walk, including sponsors, volunteers, fire service family and friends, and the many communities that hosted the team along the route. They also presented Foote and Bode with crystal flame trophies to represent hope for the fire service and commemorate the experience. In total, they walked over 52 hours to complete the journey.

“This walk wasn’t about me or Doug,” says Bode. “It was about the health and wellness of all the firefighters in the state and I hope we brought more awareness to the need and the things MnFIRE is doing. I hope we’ve inspired firefighters to take their health and wellness seriously.”

“My only ask of all you firefighters is please, you’ve got to take care of yourselves,” says Foote. “We can’t be another statistic. We cannot. Please use MnFIRE. Please use each other. Because if not us, who?”

The story of their accomplishment will be heard far and wide. Multiple news outlets were at the finish line to capture the memorable moment, including WCCO 4 (CBS), KMSP 9 (FOX), KSTP 5 (ABC) and the Pioneer Press. In addition, Minnesota Public Radio (MPR), KARE 11 (NBC), and WDIO (ABC) in Duluth are also expected to mention Miles for MnFIRE in news stories.

The walk is officially over but MnFIRE’s work continues — every day. If you’d like to support the nonprofit organization by making a financial donation, the pledge page for Miles for MnFIRE will remain open until October 1. Click here to make a contribution.

Some photos by Ric Rosow

Miles for MnFIRE is a walk across Minnesota that raises awareness and much-needed funds for firefighter health. The more than 150-mile journey kicked off on Sept. 13 in Duluth and is making its way through numerous Minnesota communities, including Carlton, Hinckley, Pine City, Rush City, Harris, Wyoming, North Branch, Hugo, White Bear Lake and Vadnais Heights. The walk ends Sept. 21 at the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol in St. Paul.

Day 8

Starting location: Wyoming, MN
Finish for the day: White Bear Lake, MN
Miles completed: 19
The weather report: 73 and cloudy

It was a poignant day on the Miles for MnFIRE trail.

Today, Minnesota firefighters Doug Foote and Kyle Bode completed another 19 miles on their walk from Duluth to St. Paul. They’ve now completed 147 miles of the more than 150-mile journey that aims to raise awareness and funds for firefighter health.

At the same time, firefighters from across the country who made the ultimate sacrifice were being honored at the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs. Over 311 names were added to the memorial wall, including St. Paul Fire Department Captain Larry Goodman who died of cancer last year. Bode, a fellow member of the St. Paul Fire Department, is walking Miles for MnFIRE in Goodman’s honor.

Cancer is the leading cause of line of duty death among firefighters. Cardiac and emotional trauma are two other major health problems commonly experienced by those in the fire service. The Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE) is dedicated to providing Minnesota’s firefighters with the tools they need to prioritize and protect their health. Through the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, MnFIRE combines three vital resources for all active volunteer, paid-on-call, part-time and full-time Minnesota firefighters at no cost:

• MnFIRE Assistance Program with emotional trauma resources
• Up-to-$20,000 Critical Illness insurance policy
• Ongoing health and wellness training

On Sept. 13, Foote and Bode began this walk to inform their fellow fire services members about these resources. And tomorrow, Sept. 21, they will complete their journey at the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol. Please come celebrate Foote and Bode’s accomplishment as we work to better the health of Minnesota’s fire service. We are expecting them to arrive around 1 p.m.

You can also support Miles for MnFIRE by making a financial donation. Money raised will help provide resources to Minnesota’s 20,000 firefighters. Our goal is $100,000 – and we can reach that with your help! To contribute, click here.

We hope to see you at the Capitol on Sunday, September 21, at 1 p.m.

Some photos by Ric Rosow

Miles for MnFIRE is a walk across Minnesota that raises awareness and much-needed funds for firefighter health. The more than 150-mile journey kicked off on Sept. 13 in Duluth and is making its way through numerous Minnesota communities, including Carlton, Hinckley, Pine City, Rush City, Harris, Wyoming, North Branch, Hugo and Vadnais Heights. The walk ends Sept. 21 at the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol in St. Paul.

Day 7

Starting location: Harris, MN
Finish for the day: Wyoming, MN
Miles completed: 17
The weather report: 73 and cloudy with some rain

For seven straight days, Doug Foote and Kyle Bode have walked trails, roads and highways to spread awareness and raise funds for firefighter health. They are physical machines, having now racked up 130 miles of the more than 150-mile journey from Duluth to St. Paul. Still remaining are two days of walking towards the finish line at the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol.

Since they started on Saturday, September 13 at the Duluth Fire Station, Foote and Bode have been bolstered by sheer determination and the loving support they have received from family, friends and the Minnesota communities we’ve visited. But also, by the little discoveries made on the journey that reinforce the unique human connection within the fire service. From people who are, by happenstance, firefighters, to those who are related to someone who is in the fire service.

“In Mahtowa, we met a firefighter who was related to the wife of a fellow St. Paul firefighter,” says Bode. “There’s just a lot of little connections. It motivates you when you hear everyone thanking you for what you are doing.”

Foote agrees, noting that it’s been very fulfilling to embark on this journey again, connecting with firefighters, their families, and other community members.

“What really brought out hope was how much more familiar and informed departments are, from Mahtowa to Sturgeon Lake, Finlayson to Pine City, Harris to Stacy,” says Foote. “Compared to four years ago, the Chiefs and firefighters seem to have a better understanding and appreciation for MnFIRE. We encourage them to use the resources in the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program and also to keep spreading the word of all MnFIRE has to offer. There is hope!”

A few other highlights from today: Bode’s dog, “Kilo,” joined the walk. Kilo is a St. Paul Fire Department support dog and was instantly popular.

We also fielded interviews from the Pioneer Press and FOX 9’s Maury Glover. We’re very excited to keep sharing what Miles for MnFIRE is all about!

As we enter the greater Twin Cities, we’re hopeful the firefighter community and those who support it come out to join Miles for MnFIRE. Either by walking alongside Foote and Bode, or by gathering at the finish line to cheer for them as they finish. For more information about our route, stops and expected arrival times, click here.

And, don’t forget: Miles for MnFIRE is also a fundraiser. Money raised will help provide resources to Minnesota’s 20,000 firefighters. Our goal is $100,000 – and we can reach that with your help! To contribute, click here.

Stay tuned to our blog and follow us on Facebook for more updates along the way.

Some photos by Ric Rosow

Miles for MnFIRE is a walk across Minnesota that raises awareness and much-needed funds for firefighter health. The more than 150-mile journey kicked off on Sept. 13 in Duluth and is making its way through numerous Minnesota communities, including Carlton, Hinckley, Pine City, Rush City, Harris, North Branch, Hugo and Vadnais Heights. The walk ends Sept. 21 at the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol in St. Paul.

Day 6
Starting location: Pine City, MN
Finish for the day: Harris, MN
Miles completed: 18
The weather report: 78 and overcast

What is the ideal way to celebrate your birthday? Maybe you take the day off of work. Maybe you treat yourself with a visit to your favorite coffee shop, restaurant, or spa. Well, if you are St. Paul firefighter Kyle Bode, you happily spend it walking 18 miles in the name of firefighter health.

“I couldn’t have had a better birthday than doing what I did today,” says Bode. “This walk has been super special, and it will be a very memorable birthday!”

Indeed. As Bode and his counterpart, Doug Foote, made their way through Pine City this morning, local elementary school students lined the sidewalks to cheer them on and sing Bode “Happy Birthday.” The kids gave them high-fives and handshakes to start the day off right.

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Further down the route in Rock Creek, the team passed by a pickleball tournament and the players paused to sing “Happy Birthday!” Foote and Bode were challenged to a game, but as you can imagine, they needed to save their energy for the walk.

In Rush City, Excelsior Fire District Chief Curt Mackey and his wife joined the team, along with Bode’s wife, Kara. The crew took up Rush City Fire Chief Bob Carlson’s recommendation to stop at Rush City Bakery, picking up some marble birthday cake that was absolutely as good as everyone made it out to be.

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And as Foote and Bode made their way to the final destination of the day in Harris, Minn., a crowd including Bode’s family were there to congratulate the team on another day completed. The makeshift birthday party, including Minnesota DNR firefighters and Harris Fire Department members, was a nice way to end the day.

Thus far, they’ve now completed 112 of the 150-mile route. They’re doing as well as you can imagine considering the grueling endeavor.

“We’re holding up ok, but it was another hot day on the highway” says Foote. “I was grateful for MnFIRE Vice President Amber Lage protecting us the whole way. But my favorite part of the day was when Kyle’s family met him to walk into Harris.”

With the stop in Harris, Miles for MnFIRE is officially two-thirds of the way done. Friday, September 19, the team will move on to Wyoming, Minn. From there, on Saturday, September 20, the team walks to White Bear Lake. The final leg will be on Sunday, September 21, from White Bear Lake to the grounds of the State Capitol. We welcome you to join us at any part of this journey, to cheer on the walkers or take part in the walk itself. For more information about our route, stops and expected arrival times, click here.

And, if you’ve been wondering what you should get Bode for his birthday, donate to Miles for MnFIRE. Money raised will help provide resources to Minnesota’s 20,000 firefighters. Our goal is $100,000 – and we can reach that with your help! To contribute, click here.

Stay tuned to our blog and follow us on Facebook for more updates along the way.

Some photos by Ric Rosow

 

Miles for MnFIRE is a walk across Minnesota that raises awareness and much-needed funds for firefighter health. The more than 150-mile journey kicked off on Sept. 13 in Duluth and is making its way through numerous Minnesota communities, including Carlton, Willow River, Hinckley, Pine City, Rush City, North Branch, Hugo and Vadnais Heights. The walk ends Sept. 21 at the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol in St. Paul.

Day 5
Starting location: Groningen, MN
Finish for the day: Pine City, MN
Miles completed: 24
The weather report: 90°+ on the blacktop and direct sun

Day five on the Miles for MnFIRE journey proved one thing for sure: when two firefighters have a goal in mind, they will work together — and crush that goal.

Doug Foote and Kyle Bode are walking more than 150 miles from Duluth to St. Paul to raise awareness and funds for firefighter health. The entire walk will take nine days, most of which are planned with approximately 18-mile stints. But today, day five of the journey, was a behemoth – nearly 24 miles in less-than-ideal conditions.

The day started out well in Groningen, but as the route moved through Hinckley and Mission Creek, the team had to turn away from the shady Willard Munger Trail and onto the black asphalt of Highway 23, the St. Croix Scenic Byway, and Old Highway 61, both blasted with direct sunlight.

But they did it, in good spirits, and finished in Pine City before the rainstorms hit. It wasn’t easy, but there were many bright spots in the day to boost their spirits. The biggest highlight was crossing the halfway mark of their journey.

“It feels really good to get over the midway point,” says Bode. “We had lots of friends join us today, which was nice. It helped take our mind off the walk.”

Joining Foote and Bode today were several retired and active firefighters, MnFIRE mental health providers from ProNetwork, and Gracy, a support-dog-in-training from Soldier 6. Because of her puppy-sized stride, once in a while Gracy caught a ride in a stroller.

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And, good news travels! Today, both the White Bear Press and Forest Lake Times published stories about Miles for MnFIRE. As the story of this journey continues to spread throughout Minnesota, we hope more people can join in supporting Foote, Bode, and the MnFIRE mission.

How can you do that? Your financial donation will help provide resources to Minnesota firefighters across the state. To contribute, click here. You are also welcome to join us on the Miles for MnFIRE trail. For more information about our route, stops and expected arrival times, click here. And finally, we invite you to the finish line. The team is on schedule to finish at the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol in St. Paul on Sunday, Sept. 21. Join us for the celebratory finish of this major accomplishment.

Stay tuned to our blog and follow us on Facebook for more updates along the way.

Some photos by Ric Rosow

Miles for MnFIRE is a walk across Minnesota that raises awareness and much-needed funds for firefighter health. The more than 150-mile journey kicked off on Sept. 13 in Duluth and is making its way through numerous Minnesota communities, including Esko, Willow River, Groningen, Hinckley, Rush City, North Branch, Hugo and Vadnais Heights. The walk ends Sept. 21 at the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol in St. Paul.

Day 4
Starting location: Sturgeon Lake, MN
Finish for the day: Groningen, MN
Miles completed: 18
The weather report: HOT! 85 and very sunny

Firefighters are used to heat, but today was “a bit of a grind,” as Miles for MnFIRE walker Doug Foote put it. With highs in the mid-80’s and bright, scorching sun, day four of the more than 150-mile walk from Duluth to St. Paul was a display of endurance and resilience.

Minnesota firefighters Doug Foote and Kyle Bode completed an additional 18 miles of their walk, which is raising awareness and funds for firefighter health. They’ve now completed 70 miles total, with today’s stretch covering Sturgeon Lake to Groningen, MN.

Besides their sheer determination, the support system helping the walkers every day has been key to their success. Foote’s wife, Denise, and MnFIRE Executive Director Rebecca Otto have been present since the start in Duluth. They help with food and hydration, set up at rest stops and shave managed route planning. Their presence and attention to detail is enabling the walkers focus on their endurance and the true meaning of the event.

Today, Bode’s wife Kara surprised him on the trail! Kara owns a dance studio and with her commitments there, she wasn’t expected to appear during the Miles for MnFIRE journey until the finish.

“I thought maybe she’d surprise me at some point, but it was a surprise – and a very nice one,” says Bode. “I’ve been having a great time on this experience, and having her here, too, just makes it that much better.”

Another great support today were students from John W. Osborne Finlayson Elementary School. A group of K-6^th graders lined the school’s sidewalks, cheering on Foote and Bode with high-fives, fist bumps and smiles. Foote and Bode used the opportunity to take a short break, and talk with the students about health and wellness.

“We were quite tired and dehydrated at the time, but we knew that we were going to visit the Finlayson Elementary kids, and they didn’t disappoint,” says Foote. “As we rounded the corner with the Finlayson fire engine behind us, we saw all of the cheering kids and our spirits were immediately lifted. It was so awesome to see all of these wonderful teachers and kids coming out and their enthusiasm. It will no doubt be one of the high points of the walk.”

Tomorrow the team will hit their route halfway mark, as they attack over 25 miles on their most aggressive day of the entire trek.  If you’d like to show your support for this amazing team, here are a few ways:

• Donate to Miles for MnFIRE. We are still seeking sponsors and donors to help provide resources to Minnesota firefighters across the state. To contribute, click here.
• Join Doug and Kyle on the walk. You are welcome to cheer on or join Kyle and Doug as they walk through your community. For more information about our route, stops and expected arrival times, click here.
• Meet us at the finish line. The team is on track to approach the State Capitol in St. Paul on Sunday, Sept. 21 on their way to the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial, where they’ll finish their over 150-mile feat. We’d love to have you celebrate our walkers and honor the Minnesota fire service.

Stay tuned to our blog and follow us on Facebook for more updates along the way.

Some photos by Ric Rosow

Miles for MnFIRE is a walk across Minnesota that raises awareness and much-needed funds for firefighter health. The more than 150-mile journey kicked off on Sept. 13 in Duluth and is making its way through numerous Minnesota communities, including Esko, Sturgeon Lake, Willow River, Hinckley, Rush City, North Branch, Hugo and Vadnais Heights. The walk ends Sept. 21 at the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol in St. Paul.

Day 3:

Starting location: Mahtowa, MN
Finish for the day: Sturgeon Lake, MN
Miles completed: 17
Weather report: 75°F and humid

Logging just over 17 miles for the third day in a row, today Minnesota firefighters Doug Foote  and Kyle Bode walked from Mahtowa to Sturgeon Lake, completing day three of Miles for MnFIRE. So far, they’ve logged nearly 52 miles of the more than 150-mile journey from Duluth to St. Paul.

Two special flags are also making the journey to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial – one displaying the MnFIRE logo and another representing the fire service. At stops along the way, they are signed by people who want to show their support. Sometimes, people will write the name of a fire service member that they’ve lost. Bode and Foote consider it a true honor to carry these flags and names to the finish line.

“The thin red line flag represents for me, not only our country, but our fire service and the people who choose to serve their communities,” says Foote. “The MN Fire flag, for me, represents hope. Hope that we can impact the devastating numbers of firefighters that are losing their lives to cardiac, cancer, and suicide but also to inspire all who hear the story of this journey.”

Joining our walkers today were several members of the Barnum and Sturgeon Lake Fire Departments. The comradery keeps Foote and Bode entertained and motivated.

“It’s awesome having other firefighters join us,”says Bode. “It gives us a boost and it’s great just hanging out, sharing stories and hearing what it’s like at their departments. It makes the walk a lot more special.”

More firefighters are expected to join the walk in the coming days.

As we’ve now completed one-third of the walk, we’re happy to report that we are over one-third of our way to our fundraising goal of $100,000. With the generosity of sponsors and donors, we’re excited to share that Miles for MnFIRE has raised $40,950. If you’d like to contribute, click here. Every dollar makes a difference.

The team is still on schedule to finish at the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol in St. Paul on Sunday, Sept. 21. Stay tuned to our blog and follow us on Facebook for more updates along the way. For more information about our route, stops and expected arrival times, click here.

Some photos by Ric Rosow