Over two impactful days, the 2026 Firefighter Health Forum brought together Minnesota’s fire service at Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Onamia for engaging and practical conversations about firefighter health and wellness. The forum, presented by MnFIRE, creates a space to focus on the unique physical, mental and emotional demands that firefighters, and their families, face.

Expert speakers addressed prevention, resilience, emotional well-being and long-term health:

Dr. Margaret Gavian outlined the harmful historical trend in the fire service to suppress stress and trauma, and shared holistic health strategies that encourage whole system recovery and healing.

Aaron Zamzow, a firefighter and EMT, presented ways to create a fit and healthy department culture, focusing on functional fitness and building resiliency.

Megan Lautz, a registered dietician, shared custom nutrition and hydration tactics for maximum performance and recovery.

MnFIRE Medical Director Dr. Zeke McKinney presented the latest information on cardiac health and occupational cancer in the fire service, with proactive ways to prevent and protect from cancer and cardiac disease, including the importance of getting an annual physical.

Jen Elleraas, Crosslake firefighter and MnFIRE peer supporter, also presented at the forum. Peer supporters are trained to provide confidential support to peers and bridge firefighters to professional help when needed. To encourage others to step into this role, Elleraas presented on the importance of peer supporters when fellow firefighters are facing mental health challenges and need outside support. She also talked about how their contributions are shifting fire department cultures by encouraging firefighters to seek help when they need it.

In another breakout session, firefighter spouses and partners connected with Dr. Michelle Sherman, clinical psychologist and author of “Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma.” Dr. Sherman shared tools to cope with difficult emotions and strategies to empower loved ones, including those who have experienced trauma or PTSD, which firefighters experience at a higher rate than the general public. During lunch Dr. Sherman and DeAnne Sherman, her mother and co-author, autographed books and visited one-on-one with firefighters and firefighter family members.

Following another successful Forum, 100% of attendees who responded to the post-event survey stated they are likely or very likely to recommend the health forum to others.

“From training and discussion to celebration and camaraderie, it was a privilege to gather Minnesota’s fire service at Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Onamia,” says Mike Dobesh, MnFIRE president. “The health issues that MnFIRE focuses on, like cardiac, cancer and emotional wellness, have plagued the fire service since its origin. It’s MnFIRE’s mission to change the trajectory we have historically been on, and I’m proud to see so many firefighters starting to take more time to focus on themselves and their health.”

The MnFIRE team is so grateful to the incredible presenters and attendees who made this year’s Firefighter Health Forum a success! For more information on no-cost health and wellness trainings for your fire department, offered through the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, click here.

 

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.

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!