Sauk Centre firefighter and EMT Andrea Kerfeld has been in the fire service for 15 years and is a recent addition to the MnFIRE Peer Support team. Andrea and her fellow peer supporters are a crucial support system for Minnesota’s 20,000 firefighters and their families. They provide free and confidential support to their colleagues experiencing personal, emotional or work-related problems.

Andrea shared about her time as a MnFIRE peer supporter and why she finds it incredibly rewarding to help her fire service brothers and sisters prioritize their mental health.

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

I am a lifelong Sauk Centre resident. I’ve been married to my husband Kelly for 23 years. We have three adult daughters, Greta (22), Ellen (20) and Ava (19). My hobbies include gardening, cheering on the Minnesota Twins, and drinking coffee/socializing with friends. My full-time career is a 911 Dispatcher for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department in Alexandria, MN. I’ve been dispatching for eight years.

My journey in the fire service began a little differently than most, I would guess. As a staff writer for the local newspaper at the time, I thought it would be fun to do a ride-along with the fire department to write a more interesting story for our October Fire Prevention special edition. For approximately six months, I was given a pager and allowed to observe call responses, as well as the department’s meetings and drills. I was hooked! The experience very much reminded me of my time in the Minnesota Army National Guard, as I’d recently completed my eight-year enlistment in the military. I joined the department in March of 2010, becoming the first woman firefighter in Sauk Centre history.

Why did you become a MnFIRE peer supporter?

I am also a member of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office peer support team. Our clinician who leads our team for the County told me about MnFIRE and their peer support program. I very much enjoy my role in peer support and understood the need for more resources in the fire service. I became a peer supporter to help bring awareness to my fellow firefighters of the importance of taking care of their mental health and to help normalize conversations about mental health.

What have you found to be rewarding about your role as a peer supporter?

Learning that we all struggle. While all struggles may not be the same, many of our fears, anxieties and stressors are. I think people often feel they are the only ones experiencing something, so they keep it to themselves out of fear of being judged. When in reality, we all have more in common than not.

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

While a traumatic call or event may be the trigger or tipping point, it’s hardly the sole reason we may need to reach out for some extra support. Regardless of what we face on the fire/rescue scene, life still goes on! Marriages and relationships still need attention, kids need to be cared for, finances need to be managed, etc. I find it’s usually a combination of stressors that overwhelm a person.

For others who may want to join MnFIRE’s Peer Support program, what qualities make a good peer supporter?

I believe trust is the biggest and most important quality. If people can’t trust you to keep their conversations private, you won’t succeed. The other thing is just being a good listener. You don’t have to have all the answers or the right words. You just need to be able to listen with a compassionate heart and understanding ear.

What practices do you engage in to keep yourself mentally healthy?

I am a big believer in the “you can’t pour from an empty cup” philosophy. I try to be very conscious of my time and where it’s spent and in maintaining a healthy work/life/home balance. Saying “no” is an art I’ve only recently begun to master! Time alone, in complete silence, is a must for me. My faith is also central to my well-being. Spending time in prayer or listening to worship music is my medicine.

What do you believe is the number one thing your fellow firefighters should do to improve their mental health?

Recognize your need to address and maintain it. If you have a brain, you must be mindful of your mental health. Just like you exercise or tend to any other part of your body, realize your brain needs care and attention as well. And it’s not a contest to see who can handle the most! Especially in a male dominated industry, guys like to shoulder more than their fair share. But we can only hold so much. Having a confidential conversation with a member of the Peer Support team may be all you need to get things out in the open, process them and feel better.

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

The awareness it brings to issues. We can’t correct problems unless we know about them.

Anything else you’d like to add?

As firefighters, we wouldn’t hesitate to help someone in physical danger. It’s what we do! But don’t hesitate to help someone who’s struggling mentally, either. If you see someone acting out of character, making off comments, or withdrawing, reach out. A simple text can go a long way in helping someone realize they are not alone.

Help is just a call away

MnFIRE Peer Support is a safe, confidential space to talk about what you’re going through with someone who gets it. Minnesota firefighters and their family members can get connected with a peer supporter by calling our 24-hour helpline at 888-784-6634, and selecting option 2.

Kyle Bode has been in the fire service for more than 20 years and he’s a proud MnFIRE peer supporter. Peer supporters like Kyle are a crucial support system for Minnesota’s 20,000 firefighters and their families. They provide free and confidential support to their fire service brothers and sisters experiencing personal, emotional or work-related problems.

We sat down with Kyle to hear more about his experience with MnFIRE Peer Support and how he shows up for fellow firefighters by offering a listening ear.

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

I was recruited by Saint Paul Fire Department’s fire chief at the gym. I had completed active-duty military and I was going to college and working at the gym. I had no clue what I was going to do. It sounded interesting so I applied for the upcoming Saint Paul test. I really didn’t expect to get hired. I remember taking the written test with 3,500 people at the RiverCentre and feeling like I didn’t have a chance. I was hired in the first class off of that list. While I waited for the academy, I was hired as a volunteer for the White Bear Lake Fire Department, where I served for a little over a year. I also served as an Air Force Reserve firefighter for 16 years and retired from the military in 2022.

I live in Blaine with my wife and four kids, ages 4, 8, 12 and 13. Outside of the fire department, most of my time is spent with my family. My wife owns a dance studio, so that also keeps me busy. I enjoy physical challenges and have competed in many marathons, a couple of Ironman Triathlons and also some long-distance rucking events. I prioritize my physical health because it helps me a lot with my mental health.

Why did you become a MnFIRE peer supporter?

I spent several years struggling with my mental health and substance abuse. In 2022, I checked into a first responder treatment facility where I was treated for alcohol abuse and PTSD. I learned so much during that time including better ways to keep myself healthy both mentally and physically. It didn’t take me long to realize that I wasn’t alone. Once I was able to get myself in a healthier space, I realized many of my peers were having similar struggles. In my experience, it is tremendously helpful to be able to talk to another person who has gone through what you are going through, so I pursued becoming a MnFIRE peer supporter.

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

I think just being there for another person, so they don’t feel like they are going through it alone. It’s also extremely rewarding to witness and be a part of someone’s journey to feeling better and finding a healthier place in their life.

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

Unfortunately, I think the most surprising part for me has been witnessing firsthand how many of my peers are struggling. There is a silver lining though, because I have been able to witness some pretty incredible change during that time.

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

The program helps remove a lot of barriers. It makes it much easier for those who need help to get the help. I have sat with peers who have called the hotline and have gotten set up with a therapist, for free, that same day. MnFIRE has done the work and vetted the mental health professionals, so you get connected with the right person. I have used the HHAP and I find it very helpful.

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

I think the most important thing that I would share is that it’s OK to ask for help. We all sign up to do this dangerous job, but the bravest individuals that I have seen are the ones who admit that they are not OK and need help. I also think it’s important to make diet and exercise a priority. I can’t stress enough how much it helps with our mental health. It’s the number-one medicine for our well-being, and it’s free!

Anything else you’d like to add?

In the span of eight years, I tragically lost two of my brothers from the Saint Paul Fire Department to suicide. This heart-wrenching experience underscores the urgent need for anyone grappling with their mental health to reach out for help. Remember, you are not alone. Your loved ones and those around you genuinely care and want to support you. Don’t hesitate to seek assistance.

See more stories like this in our 2024 Taking the Lead impact report.

Help is just a call away

MnFIRE Peer Support is a safe, confidential space to talk about what you’re going through with someone who gets it. Minnesota firefighters and their family members can get connected with a peer supporter by calling our 24-hour helpline at 888-784-6634.

Our trained Peer Support network is made up of firefighters and firefighter family members of all ranks and backgrounds from across the state, and they’re a crucial lifeline to Minnesota’s 20,000 firefighters and their families – from coping with difficult calls to talking through life problems like divorce or a death in the family.

Jen Elleraas, captain and training officer for Garrison Fire & Rescue, is one of those dedicated MnFIRE peer supporters. Here’s our recent interview with Jen where we learned more about the process of getting connected with a peer supporter:

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

I have been a firefighter with Garrison Fire & Rescue since 2019. It’s a rural, paid on-call fire department in Central Minnesota. I also serve as an EMT on the department and casually for an ambulance service. Serving my community as a first responder is one of my greatest honors and has quickly grown into one of my strongest passions. My full-time career has been working in the human services industry for over 20 years. In my free time, I love lake life and spending time with my family and friends.

Why did you become a MnFIRE peer supporter?

Firefighters are servant leaders in their communities answering the call to help others on their worst day. I’m humbled by the honor and privilege to be here to answer the call from a fellow firefighter. Being a peer supporter creates an instant connection because we speak the same language, experience similar things and can relate on the same level. Trauma and grief need a witness and I’m honored to walk beside a fellow firefighter who is bravely traveling on their journey.

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

It’s rewarding to support a fellow firefighter and I’ve learned so much from the amazing humans I’ve had the privilege to meet. I am always in awe of the resilience, courage, compassion and commitment of firefighters, who answer the call and put their life on the line before others. It is true bravery when a firefighter answers their own call and reaches out to invest in their emotional well-being.

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

It’s surprising how much the timeline of connection can vary when supporting my fellow firefighters. Sometimes we connect for a few weeks to talk through a specific incident, and another time I supported a peer for over a year. It is a person-centered approach to benefit the specific needs of that firefighter. There is no timeline or specific commitment. If I am not the right peer match for a firefighter, the firefighter can switch – no questions asked. If a firefighter needs a higher level of care, MnFIRE offers professional counseling sessions at no cost. This program is truly focused on the firefighter to protect and prioritize their emotional health in alignment with MnFIRE’s mission.

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

The program provides vital resources to firefighters in the research-driven areas we need most including cardiac, cancer and emotional health. It provides resources to help fill the gaps for firefighters who experience one of these industry-proven hazards. The Peer Support program is unique, pairing Minnesota firefighters with someone who shares similar experiences, creating an instant connection and trust to be able to open up on the tough stuff we face on and off the fireground.

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

1.) Health is all tied together. Firefighters are often sleep-deprived, trying to grab meals on the go while we balance our family, jobs and relationships. We have to be intentional about our health. Exercise, healthy foods, hydration, laughter and sleep all play a critical role in our emotional well-being. 2.) If you see a fellow firefighter struggling, have the courage to have a conversation. The MnFIRE call line is a quick, easy way to connect someone with resources. The hardest part is making that initial call, so let’s encourage each other to make it. I promise it gets easier from there. We should be spreading the word of MnFIRE like wildfire. It is free, confidential and safe for any firefighter in Minnesota. No one fights fire alone.

See more stories like this in our 2024 Taking the Lead impact report.

Help is just a call away

MnFIRE Peer Support is a safe, confidential space to talk about what you’re going through with someone who gets it. Get connected with a peer supporter by calling our 24-hour helpline at 888-784-6634.