In tandem with our medical experts, dedicated MnFIRE training instructors like Andy Willenbring deliver crucial education about cancer, cardiac, emotional wellness, fitness, nutrition, sleep and more to fire departments across the state – and we couldn’t do it without them. Andy has been in the fire service for 23 years, a goal of his since...Read More
Mental health conditions affect people of all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles in all kinds of ways. In fact, about one in five people globally live with a mental health condition. For firefighters, the rates are even higher than the general population – particularly in the areas of sleep disorders, depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress injury...Read More
Contributed by Paul J. Anderson, M.D. Getting quality sleep is tough. Anticipation of a call at night is like watching the alarm clock when you know you need to get up early. Your sleep quality suffers. Then a call comes in, and your sympathetic “fight-or-flight” response is activated. This sharpens your focus and primes your...Read More
Contributed by Paul J. Anderson, M.D. There is no way around it, firefighting is a stressful job. Physically, you must be able to handle the stress of the station alarm or an emergency call, the truck sirens blaring, gearing up and working hard until the fire is out, keeping at it until overhaul is done,...Read More
Contributed by Paul J. Anderson, M.D. As a firefighter, food may be one of the last things on your mind. You may work one or two other jobs while trying to hold down a busy family life, and you’re committed to showing up for a fire call, ready to get to work. With this number...Read More
It was 22 years ago when Ellen Kling decided to join the fire department in Ceylon. Her husband Larry had been active at the department since high school, and she was drawn to the comradery she had seen in the fire service. “You don’t have to like each other, but yet when you get to...Read More
Contributed by Paul J. Anderson, M.D. As firefighters, we’re no strangers to hard physical work. Wearing turnout gear and equipment in extreme heat while dealing with an emergency can push you to your physical limits. In fact, heart attacks are the number one cause of death on the job for firefighters year after year. Other...Read More
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...Read More
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...Read More
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...Read More
