Firefighters in the Cloquet Area Fire District received “MnFire Aware” occupational health risk training last week.
Health experts and firefighters provided in-depth training and actionable tips about how to protect themselves from cardiovascular disease — one of the three problems most commonly experienced by those in the fire service, other than cancer and emotional trauma issues, according to a news release from the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative, a nonprofit, statewide advocacy organization.
MnFire recently received a $400,000 grant from the Fire Service Advisory Committee to train all firefighters in the state to become “MnFIRE Aware” of their occupational health risks by June 30.
MORE ABOUT THE CLOQUET AREA FIRE DISTRICT:
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Schroeder column: It's time to protect those who protect us every day We can all do our part to help support the men and women who protect us and our communities every day. Ask your legislator to support the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program.
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Cloquet Area Fire District looks to construct new fire hall The current building has been in use since the 1960s.
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New Cloquet fire chief is ‘rock solid’ Matthew Ashmore started with the department Nov. 30 and has risen through the ranks from a paid on-call firefighter in Eveleth to becoming a battalion chief and emergency medical services director in Hibbing.
Cloquet Area Fire District firefighters are among more than 8,000 firefighters statewide who have received the training.
“By participating in this important training, Cloquet proved that the health of their hometown heroes is a priority,” George Esbensen, MnFIRE president, said in the release. “There’s a health crisis in the Minnesota fire service and it’s more important than ever that firefighters across the state are aware of their heightened risk for cardiac, emotional trauma and cancer issues.”
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MnFIRE also offers a confidential, toll-free helpline (888-784-6634) for firefighters in crisis.
