St. Paul Fire Foundation

We support the health, wellness, and safety of every St. Paul Firefighter

They have your back, it's time to have theirs.

Cancer

More than 68% of firefighters will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime. 

Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population according to research by the CDC/National institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH)

The rate of line-of-duty deaths from cancer related illness is rapidly increasing and is on pace to overtake cardiac disease as the leading killer of firefighters nationwide.

Emotional Trauma

More firefighters died of suicide than in line-of-duty deaths in 2017.  

Researchers estimate that anywhere from 7 to 37 percent of firefighters have PTSD.  A study from Florida State University found that nearly half of firefighters have had suicidal thoughts and that about 1 in 5 have made plans to take their own lives.

Most firefighters can recall at least three traumatic events, but the failure to talk about those memories creates a dangerous feedback loop.

Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of firefighters nationwide and is by far the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service.

Even young and healthy firefighters suffer from hardened arteries and impaired heart function after just 3 hours of prolonged firefighting, according to a 2010 study from the Illinois Fire Service Institute.

Since 2010, The St. Paul Fire Foundation has supported the St. Paul Fire Department with more than $1 million dollars in programs and equipment and we haven't scratched the surface in providing our firefighters with the equipment, training and education to keep them safe, healthy and strong.  We need your help to ensure the brave men and women of the Saint Paul Fire Department have what they need to be active, productive and successful in their chosen career - they have your back, it's time to have theirs.