On Friday, September 11, 2026, firefighters, families, businesses, volunteers and community members came together at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan for the inaugural Minnesota 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. The event, hosted by Red Line Fitness, created a powerful space for remembrance and reflection 25 years after the attacks.

Following a solemn opening ceremony, more than 180 climbers representing over 24 fire departments and EMS providers took to the stadium stairs, including MnFIRE President Mike Dobesh and MnFIRE Executive Director DeeDee Jankovich. Participants climbed the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs, the height of the Twin Towers, and carried with them the names of the 343 FDNY firefighters who lost their lives on September 11. At the end of the climb, each person rang a silver memorial bell in tribute to those we lost and their legacy that continues to inspire the fire service today.

“It was a moving event,” says Jankovich. “As we remember the lives lost on that tragic day, we’re also reminded of the risks firefighters face daily while serving our communities. Red Line Fitness created a meaningful and respectful tribute, and MnFIRE was honored to be one of the beneficiaries of this climb.”

The Minnesota 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb was a fundraiser for MnFIRE and Minnesota Fire Service Foundation. MnFIRE’s portion will support ongoing programs for our state’s 20,000 firefighters and their families, including MnFIRE’s Extended Benefits Program that includes a critical illness insurance policy and up to five no-cost counseling sessions to those who leave the fire service.

MnFIRE is grateful to Red Line Fitness for organizing this event, and to every climber, volunteer, sponsor, family member and community partner who helped make the inaugural event a success.

Save the date

The Minnesota 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb will return on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2027. We hope you’ll join us as we climb in memory of the 343.

We’re excited to announce MnFIRE has earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, an online database of over 1.9 million organizations that helps donors and sponsors connect with reputable and responsible nonprofit organizations.

The Platinum designation is the highest level of transparency, demonstrating our commitment to delivering our mission effectively and efficiently, maximizing every dollar to create measurable and lasting impact.

According to Candid, nonprofits can earn a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum Seal of Transparency depending on how much information is provided to the watchdog organization, such as mission, donation information, program information, financial reports or IRS filings, and/or leadership and board demographics. Candid was created in 2019 when GuideStar and Foundation Center merged together.

We are honored to receive this recognition and remain dedicated to transparency and accountability. Thank you to our donors, sponsors and partners for their continued support, which makes it possible for us to improve the health and wellness of Minnesota firefighters today and for generations to come.

Ways to support MnFIRE

For more information on how you can sustain MnFIRE’s work supporting Minnesota firefighter health and wellness, including making a recurring donation for as little as $10 a month, click here.

The Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE) has been officially recognized as a National Firefighter Registry (NFR) Champion, an honor that highlights MnFIRE’s strong commitment to supporting firefighter health and advancing critical cancer research.

This recognition comes from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, which works to better understand and reduce cancer risks in the fire service. As an NFR Champion, MnFIRE is being celebrated for its ongoing efforts to encourage firefighter participation in the registry and raise awareness about the importance of cancer prevention.

The Champion designation reflects MnFIRE’s dedication to protecting those who protect our communities. Through education, advocacy and outreach, MnFIRE continues to be a leading voice for firefighter health and wellness, with a strong focus on addressing the disproportionate impact cancer has on the fire service.

MnFIRE is grateful for this recognition and remains committed to advocating for reducing firefighter cancer risk, supporting firefighters and their families, and driving awareness about the resources and research needed to keep firefighters healthy throughout their careers and into retirement.

Join the NFR for Cancer

Participation in the NFR is voluntary, free and open to all U.S. firefighters, with or without cancer, no matter their length of service. This includes:

• Active, former and retired firefighters
• Career, part-time, paid-on-call and volunteer firefighters
• Instructors
• Fire investigators
• Other fire service members

It’s important that all types of firefighters (structural, wildland and others) join the NFR. Get started in as few as five minutes, or complete the full registration by answering questions about your fire service history and exposures.

Become a Gold Helmet Department

The Gold Helmet Department program recognizes fire departments that are leading the way in firefighter cancer research and prevention. NIOSH awards this designation to departments that achieve enrollment of 50% of their active firefighters or more than 300 active members in the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer. Explore the Gold Helmet Departments page to learn more.

Learn more about cancer risk in the fire service

MnFIRE provides no-cost health and wellness training for all Minnesota fire departments through the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program. In addition to the general MnFIRE Awareness class that gives an overview of firefighter occupational health risks, our deep-dive training on cancer focuses exclusively on cancer risks and prevention. Click here to register your department for this important training.

Are you leaving the fire service soon? Or do you know of others departing soon? We’re excited to announce MnFIRE is here to keep supporting the physical and mental health of all Minnesota firefighters in their next chapters.

As of August 1, 2026, Minnesota firefighters who leave or retire from the fire service on or after that date will be eligible to extend their Hometown Heroes Assistance Program benefits directly through the MnFIRE Benefits Extension Program at a cost below market rate.

Eligible firefighters will have 45 days from their last date of fire service to enroll at mnfireinitiative.com/extendmybenefits. Enrollees will be able to purchase benefits a la carte based on their individual needs. The options include:

Counseling and mental health support – up to an additional 12 months

Firefighters can extend their counseling and mental health support benefit through the MnFIRE Assistance Program for up to 12 months after leaving the fire service. They – and any member of their household – can continue receiving up to five counseling visits per issue for one full calendar year. This confidential program includes access to MnFIRE’s network of trauma-informed mental health providers. A one-time payment of $50 is required to enroll, which covers both the firefighter and family members in their household.

Critical Illness Program – available for annual renewal, up to age 70

Firefighters can continue their critical illness insurance policy through MnFIRE, which provides a lump-sum cash payment up to $20,000 per diagnosis of covered critical illnesses, such as a heart attack, cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and more. Pricing for this benefit is age-banded. Former and retired firefighters can renew this critical illness policy annually until age 69, with coverage terminating at age 70.

Peer Support – always available

MnFIRE’s Peer Support Program is always available to all active and former Minnesota firefighters at no cost, and no enrollment needed. Confidential support is one call away to trained and trusted peers, who can offer a listening ear and guidance through challenges related to the fire service or everyday life. Firefighters can reach out for assistance at 888-784-6634.

Once enrolled in the MnFIRE Benefits Extension Program, former and retired firefighters can access their benefits the same way as active firefighters by calling the MnFIRE helpline at 888-784-6634. Select option 1 for counseling visits, option 2 for Peer Support or option 3 for the Critical Illness Program.

A recent MnFIRE survey conducted by The Improve Group found 85% of Minnesota firefighter respondents think it would be “very helpful” to have extended access to health and wellness benefits after leaving the fire service. One respondent advocated for extended critical illness insurance, noting, “I can’t tell you how many retirees lately have been diagnosed with cancer within one to two years after retirement in my department.”

Another respondent described how transitioning away from the fire service can lead to a lost sense of value and purpose. He said, “The mental health services MnFIRE offers are key to supporting people through this time.”

We’re listening to your feedback! MnFIRE is here for you, even after you leave the fire service.

Learn more and extend your benefits after you leave the fire service at mnfireinitiative.com/extendmybenefits.

This year marks MnFIRE’s ten-year anniversary. What started as an idea on the back of a napkin turned into a full-fledged nonprofit supporting and advocating for Minnesota’s fire service. We’ve come a long way, and still have big aspirations and initiatives for the future.

As we double down on our commitment to improve the health and wellness of Minnesota’s fire service, we’re excited to share some changes to the MnFIRE team. This spring, MnFIRE embarked on a search for our first Chief Executive Officer (CEO). After a short hiatus from the organization, MnFIRE Co-Founder George Esbensen will be rejoining the team to lead MnFIRE’s strategic growth and statewide impact. Esbensen served as MnFIRE Board President for eight years before leaving the organization in 2025.

“After a thorough search, it was clear that George is the best person to drive our next phase of growth,” says MnFIRE Co-Founder and President Mike Dobesh. “In addition to his deep understanding of and relationships with Minnesota’s fire service, George’s passion for firefighter health and wellness is second to none. He’s always been driven by our mission and he’s prepared to keep advancing MnFIRE’s impact in new ways.”

George has been an advocate for firefighter wellness his entire career, pushing to ban cancer-causing flame retardants, establishing the Hometown Heroes Survivor Act, and, in 2021, leading the charge to pass the most comprehensive firefighter well-being legislation in the nation, Minnesota’s Hometown Heroes Assistance Program.

George has over 30 years of experience in the fire service, retiring as Eden Prairie’s fire chief in 2018. A few years later, in 2020, George became an Outreach Liaison for Hennepin Healthcare, with the same goal of improving health outcomes for patients and the community by connecting people and organizations to resources that make a lasting difference. He will soon complete the Master of Healthcare Administration program at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

DeeDee Jankovich promoted to Executive Director

We’d also like to congratulate DeeDee Jankovich on her recent promotion to MnFIRE Executive Director. As Executive Director, DeeDee will oversee the organization’s operations and finances, including the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program grant. DeeDee has been serving as Interim Executive Director since February 2026. Initially joining MnFIRE in 2018, she previously served as Director of Program Delivery for four years and Assistant Director for one year.

We’re grateful for DeeDee’s extensive knowledge of MnFIRE’s programs and operations, in addition to her passion for supporting the fire service. DeeDee also serves as Executive Director of the Minnesota State Fire Department Association (MSFDA).

Thank you, George and DeeDee, for your dedication to the fire service and action-oriented leadership to forward MnFIRE’s mission.

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