First full year of Hometown Heroes Assistance Program provides unprecedented health protection

Support for Minnesota firefighters

Since it was passed in July 2021, the most comprehensive firefighter well-being legislation in the nation has supported hundreds of peer support calls and visits with mental health providers, trained the majority of the state’s firefighters on their occupational health risks, and has paid out nearly $800,000 in critical illness claims – all at no cost to firefighters, their departments, or their communities.

The Hometown Heroes Assistance Program dedicates $4 million per year to ensure that every Minnesota firefighter has access to the education, prevention and care needed to handle a cardiac, emotional trauma, or cancer diagnosis. In the 12 months since the legislation went into effect, the program has changed – and saved – lives by providing:

• 721 firefighter-focused mental health providers across the state to offer up to five no-cost counseling sessions to firefighters and their families. To date, the MnFIRE Assistance Program has facilitated 272 provider visits.

• An expanded network of trained MnFIRE Peer Supporters, which has responded to 430 calls.

• 52 paid Critical Illness claims, totaling $773,000. Illnesses have included full–benefit cancer, COVID-19, post-traumatic stress disorder, skin cancer, other cancer, ALS, heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest, heart disease, kidney failure, coronary artery disease needing surgery, and various mental disorders.

• 512 MnFIRE trainings to 13,929 firefighters.

This major milestone in the fight for Minnesota firefighter health has provided support to firefighters in 85 of Minnesota’s 87 counties and combines three vital elements, all led by the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE): an assistance program with expanded emotional trauma resources, an up-to-$20,000 critical illness policy, and ongoing health and wellness training.

All active Minnesota -firefighters – volunteer, paid on-call, part-time and full-time – can access the MnFIRE Assistance Program, are automatically enrolled in the Critical Illness insurance policy and can receive training – all at no cost to them.

Minnesota firefighters can receive help for a crisis, find out more information or file a claim by calling (888) 784-6634 or visiting www.mnfireinitiative.com.

Details about the three elements of the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program:

MnFIRE Assistance Program (MAP)

Confidential help is available over the phone or online, anytime for any firefighter and/or their family. The MnFIRE Assistance Program (MAP) targets emotional health and stress unique to the fire service through two evidence-based tactics: connection to mental health care and peer support. Phone lines are answered 24/7 and provide confidential support, guidance and mental health resources. Any member of a firefighter’s household, including children living away from home, can access the interactive website or contact a trained specialist. Each firefighter and/or their family members can receive up to five counseling visits a year, per issue (with additional support ensured as needed).

Firefighters are also matched with a member of MnFIRE’s team of trained peer supporters who know first-hand the difficulties firefighters face and are well-equipped to walk alongside a firefighter in need as they navigate their situation.

“Going into the fire service, every candidate expects to fight fires, but the fact of the matter is we’re 80% medical response and that has a highly emotional response. The emotional aspect was heavy for me,” says William Ewald of the St. Bonifacius Fire Department. “I’ve learned how to better manage my stress and help me get through it so it’s not so impactful on me or my family.”

MnFIRE Critical Illness Program

All Minnesota firefighters receive a statewide Critical Illness insurance policy which covers diagnoses of cancer, cardiac, or other critical illnesses, and provides a lump-sum cash payment up to $20,000 to assist with expenses.

“This program has allowed me and my family to focus on my treatment rather than worry about our finances due to the cancer diagnosis,” says Christian Worby, a Coon Rapids firefighter battling multiple myeloma. “It’s great having the extra financial support. It’s an extra safety net. It’s an expensive deal having a major illness.”

Free MnFIRE Training

Ongoing annual MnFIRE Awareness training is available for every Minnesota firefighter. Thousands of firefighters have already received this critical training to become “MnFIRE Aware” of their occupational health risks, and the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program allows MnFIRE to provide additional awareness and in-depth trainings to keep the momentum going. Departments can learn more or sign up for the free training at www.MnFIRETraining.org.

ABOUT MnFIRE

Since its inception in 2016, the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE) has been dedicated to providing Minnesota’s firefighters with the tools they need to prioritize and protect their health by focusing on the three health problems most commonly experienced by those in the fire service: cancer, cardiac, and emotional trauma. In addition to spearheading the legislative initiative, MnFIRE trains Minnesota firefighters to become “MnFIRE Aware” of their higher risks for cancer, cardiac issues, and emotional trauma. The organization launched a 24-hour peer support hotline for firefighters struggling with mental health issues in 2018. For more information, visit www.mnfireinitiative.com.