General information
The Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division is ready to assist Minnesota fire departments any way we can. To the left in the gray naviation bar will find a variety of information and resources pertaining to the Minnesota fire service.
Much of this information focuses on public education, an important part of our mission at the State Fire Marshal Division. You’ll find information and resources on these pages to help you reach out to your community and teach them about fire prevention and fire safety.
News and information
Former Richfield fire chief joins MnDIRE as executive director
Kewitsch spent 20 years with the Richfield Fire Department, including the past nine as chief. He started his career in the fire service in 1996 as a paid-on-call firefighter for the City of St. Louis Park. He left an indelible mark on the city, its residents and its firefighters, with Richfield Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez calling him “one of Richfield’s biggest heroes.”
Now Kewitsch is bringing his deep expertise and passion to MnFIRE, the statewide advocacy organization that equips firefighters and the people who care about them with resources to address the growing health crisis around cardiovascular disease, emotional trauma and cancer in the Minnesota fire service.
Monthly fire service updates
State Fire Marshal Jim Smith has been hosting virtual updates for the fire service each month. Miss an update? Watch them online:
2021
2020
Critical incident stress management
A critical incident is any traumatic event that is outside the usual range of human experience. These events have the potential of causing a traumatic stress reaction that may impair cognitive, emotional, spiritual or physical function. These reactions are a normal response to an abnormal situation.
Firefighters and EMS workers experience more traumatic events than the general public as "part of the job" and generally cope very well. However, critical incidents may evoke strong reactions in even the most experienced staff.
There are serveral Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams across the state ready to help. Learn more
on this website.
Staging manager program
During large-scale incidents, local fire departments have expressed a need for staging coordination and support. Learn more about the SFMD's staging program in this fact sheet.
Helpline available for Minnesota firefighters
To Minnesota’s more than 20,000 firefighters: You are not alone. If you are feeling suicidal, please call the new peer support line recently launched by the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative. The number is 888-784-6634. It’s a great resource.
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