WCCO Radio Highlights MnFIRE Firefighter Training

2020 was one of the deadliest years in modern memory for Minnesota firefighters, including multiple suicides of active firefighters, numerous deaths from cancer and two Line of Duty Deaths from cardiac issues.

On Sunday, Roshini Rakjumar spoke with MnFIRE president George Esbensen on WCCO Radio’s Real Talk With Roshini about this critical time and the important training that MnFIRE is providing for Minnesota firefighters.

Thanks to a $400,000 grant, MnFIRE is working to provide no-cost training to all 22,000 Minnesota firefighters to become “MnFIRE Aware” of their own occupational risks. The training, taught by firefighters and other health experts, teaches firefighters how to protect themselves from the three most common problems experienced by firefighters: cardiac, emotional trauma and cancer, so they can continue to do their jobs and protect others.

This grant will allow MnFIRE to train every firehouse in the state (both online and in-person) and equip firefighters with knowledge and tools they need to protect their own health and is an important step toward helping to turn the tide in 2021 and beyond.

Thanks for this important conversation, Roshini Rajkumar. Here’s a link to the full interview.

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We can’t believe it is that time of year, but this weekend will be our closing weekend. We have had a great summer at Tommy’s Tonka Trolley, and enjoyed beautiful weather. This Saturday, as we do every year, we will be providing free ice cream along with our good friends at Sebastian Joe’s and donating the profits to a charity. This year we have chosen to donate our money to the Minnesota Fire Initiative. The vast majority of firefighters in Minnesota are volunteer. They have significantly higher risk for mental health, illness, Cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Minnesota Fire Initiative helps firefighters and their families. We are happy and excited to welcome the Excelsior Fire Department and their truck to come down and make the day festive. We are very hopeful to raise some good funds for Minnesota Fire Initiative. The law firm of Schmidt and Salita will also be matching your donations. So come down and enjoy some great Sebastian Joe’s ice cream while it lasts and all of our other treats. We just asked that you make a worthy donation to this wonderful organization . We are open at 11 AM. We expect, weather, permitting, to be open until 5 PM (or until we run out) The Excelsior Fire truck will be down near the trolley for all to come see. The weather is supposed to be beautiful and we are excited. Please come down and join us. Again we want to thank Sebastian Joe’s for helping us donate. @tommystonkatrolley @mnfireinitiative @sebastianjoes @schmidtsalitalawteam ... See MoreSee Less

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table at the Minnesota State Fire Department Association Annual Conference last week! We enjoyed chatting about how we can continue to help firefighters across the state get the physical and mental health resources they need. ... See MoreSee Less

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table at the Minnesota State Fire Department Association Annual Conference last week! We enjoyed chatting about how we can continue to help firefighters across the state get the physical and mental health resources they need.
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