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.
