The passing of the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program passing is a huge win for all firefighters in the State of Minnesota . The Minnesota Legislature passed this bill due to the hard work of groups such as MnFIRE and Minnesota Professional Firefighters. The Hometown Heroes Act targets and works to reduce the effects of emotional trauma, cancer, and heart conditions that face Minnesota firefighters.

The Hometown Heroes Assistance Program:

Provides MnFIRE Awareness training for every firefighter across the state.
Provides MnFIRE Awareness training for medical professionals so they may help prevent and mitigate the significant health risks facing firefighters.
Create a “critical care” policy for firefighters to cover the cancer and heart condition treatment, up to $20,000 of coverage..
Create MnFIRE Assistance Program for firefighters that addresses the significant emotional trauma and toil from the fire service.

“I, unfortunately, have watched many of my fellow firefighters suffer and die from cancer and heart disease, if we don’t take care of the folks we call when we’re in trouble, how can we expect them to be there when we need them? I’m passionate about this subject, and I’m honored to be carrying this bill.”
-Senator Jeff Howe, co-sponsor of this legislation

This program will significantly help Minnesota’s 22,000 firefighters who face these serious health issues.