Why You Should Become MnFIRE Aware this Year

There is a crisis in our fire service – more and more Minnesota firefighters are tragically losing their lives due to cancer, cardiac and emotional trauma issues.

Sadly, this crisis doesn’t seem to be coming to an end anytime soon – and with COVID-19, we can only expect it to get worse. Beyond the virus itself, we know COVID-19 is causing Americans to pursue less preventative care, that isolation is exacerbating mental health issues, and that the spike in unemployment means fewer Americans have employer-sponsored health insurance – and we can assume these will have ripple effects when it comes to the health of firefighters.

While the statistics may be grim, here’s the good news: knowing what to look for, methods of prevention, and living a healthy lifestyle, can make a big difference when it comes to your likelihood of experiencing the big three health issues (cancer, cardiac and emotional trauma) for firefighters.

The first step? Signing up to become more become “MnFIRE Aware” of your occupational health risks as soon as possible. Below is some info on MnFIRE’s free training offerings for your department:

MnFire Awareness Training

This training is ideal for departments who have not had previous MnFIRE trainings and is taught by firefighters and other health experts. Thanks to a grant from the Fire Service Advisory Committee (FSAC), this training is being offered both online and in-person at no cost to MN fire departments through June 30, 2021.
Register Now

New! Deep Dive Sessions

These two-hour sessions are catered toward those who have already completed our MnFIRE Awareness Training and want further education on the different health risks facing firefighters. These trainings are available whenever it’s convenient for your department, either in-person or virtually. These classes are tailored to both department leadership, and firefighters themselves.

Cancer Training
More than 68% of firefighters will develop some form of cancer in their lifetimes. This tragic reality underscores the critical need for more Minnesota firefighters to be aware of their higher risks for cancer – and what they can do to help prevent it. In our cancer deep-dive class, we’ll educate firefighters on activities that put them at higher risk for developing cancer, proper PPE strategies for mitigating cancer risks, and what types of screenings can be done to catch cancer early.
Register Now

Cardiac Training
After just three hours of fighting fires, firefighters experience hardened arteries and impaired heart function. With that level of health risk, every firefighter deserves to be given the resources needed to protect their cardiovascular health. In this class, we’ll look at heightened risk factors, the types of cardiovascular diseases that most commonly impact firefighters, and prevention strategies to help firefighters lessen their risk.
Register Now

Emotional Wellness Training
The emotional and disturbing calls we go on can stick with us – and it’s important to recognize how the stresses of the job can negatively impact our mental health. Sadly, too many in the fire service are ashamed or afraid to ask for the help they need. This class will help de-stigmatize talking about mental health in your department, as well as provide practical information around how to properly debrief after a difficult call with your team, ways to maintain emotional well-being and what resources are available for those who need help.
Register Now

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Do you live in Southwest Minnesota? We need your help to make our crucial trainings happen in tandem with our team of medical experts!

We're currently searching for new MnFIRE training instructors – especially folks who live in or near the Southwest Minnesota region – to facilitate our free trainings on topics like cardiac, emotional wellness, cancer, sleep, and fitness & nutrition in communities like Willmar, Marshall, Redwood Falls, Montevideo, Alexandria and more.

If interested, please contact us at mnfireinitiative.com/contact-us/.
... See MoreSee Less

Do you live in Southwest Minnesota? We need your help to make our crucial trainings happen in tandem with our team of medical experts!

Were currently searching for new MnFIRE training instructors – especially folks who live in or near the Southwest Minnesota region – to facilitate our free trainings on topics like cardiac, emotional wellness, cancer, sleep, and fitness & nutrition in communities like Willmar, Marshall, Redwood Falls, Montevideo, Alexandria and more.

If interested, please contact us at https://mnfireinitiative.com/contact-us/.

Sign your department up for this impactful FREE health and wellness training at mnfireinitiative.com/training/.I want to thank our members with their spouses and Carsonville Township Board for attending our MNFIRE Awareness training and dinner. The MNFIRE Awareness talked about the cardiac issues, emotional trauma and cancer that we as Firefighters are exposed to every time we respond to a fire.
Also want to thank Crystal Krautkremer for presenting!
... See MoreSee Less

Sign your department up for this impactful FREE health and wellness training at https://mnfireinitiative.com/training/.

Shout out to the Nicollet Fire Department for joining us for a cardiac deep-dive training!

In this class, we look at the heightened risk factors for heart disease and the types of cardiac issues that most commonly impact firefighters. Most importantly, we address the prevention strategies needed to help firefighters protect their hearts.

Sign up your department for a FREE MnFIRE training at mnfireinitiative.com/training/.
... See MoreSee Less

Shout out to the Nicollet Fire Department for joining us for a cardiac deep-dive training!

In this class, we look at the heightened risk factors for heart disease and the types of cardiac issues that most commonly impact firefighters. Most importantly, we address the prevention strategies needed to help firefighters protect their hearts.

Sign up your department for a FREE MnFIRE training at mnfireinitiative.com/training/.
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