The escalating crisis of mental health within law enforcement has prompted the creation of wellness programs within agencies or departments, including Peer Support groups, online resources, and ongoing therapy. However, the topic of suicide remains clouded by stigma and silence, making honest conversations both crucial and difficult. The statistics are sobering. Suicide is the leading cause of death among firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and police. According to Ruderman Family Foundation, police and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than working in the line of ..read more

An After-Action Review (AAR) is typically conducted following a critical incident, although it can also be completed on a more informal basis in the form of a debrief or hot wash following minor incidents or arrests. An AAR is conducted to allow responding officers to reflect on what happened, what did not work during the response and why, and how to improve weaknesses while building on what went well in order to sustain strengths. Many law enforcement agencies use AARs and when done properly they can be an incredibly effective learning tool. The AAR can be very beneficial when administered a ..read more

Guest post by Lora Setter, LMCIT public safety program coordinator Lora Setter, 1986 I vividly remember one night tucking my young daughter (who’s now an adult) into her bed. As I leaned down to hug and kiss her, her head pressed against my chest, and she looked up at me with anxious eyes and said, “Mommy be careful.” When I hugged her, she felt the metal plate that was in front of my bulletproof vest. After putting her to bed, I was heading out the door to work the night shift as a police officer. It made me sad that my baby girl went to bed worried that her mommy could get hurt and ..read more

Guest post by LMCIT Public Safety Specialist Troy Walsh Public safety folks — there is a newly updated version of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG).  The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) updates the ERG every four years, and the 2024 version and mobile application are now available. DOT’s goal is to place an ERG in every public emergency service vehicle nationwide.  Recently, the DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration hosted a webinar to discuss and address challenges, successes, and trends for improvement in hazardous materials (hazmat) prepared ..read more

Guest post by LMCIT Public Safety Specialist Troy Walsh The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has opened the latest round of applications for the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program. The VFA Grant Program is a matching grant program that provides financial and technical assistance to Minnesota fire departments that protect cities or communities with a population under 10,000.  Approximately 150 to 175 grants from $1,000 to $5,000 are awarded annually. The grants are made on a 50/50 match basis. Fire departments must use the grant money for fire protection and ..read more

Police pursuits in Minnesota and nationwide have continued to capture attention due to the rising number of pursuits, resulting accidents and injuries, and the questionable need. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) compiles a statistical uniform crime report each year detailing the amount of criminal activity, including police pursuits, in the state. According to the most recent report published in September 2023, there were 2,768 agency-initiated pursuits and 388 agency-assisted pursuits, for a total of 3,156 pursuits in 2022. This is a 315% increase over 2012, when police en ..read more

Guest post by Lora Setter, LMCIT public safety program coordinator I previously wrote about when my flight from Hartford, Conn. to Minneapolis was canceled. The pilots ran out of time. For pilots, running out of time means they’ve reached their 10-hour fly time limit. When two pilots are flying together, they can fly up to 10 hours. If flying solo, they are grounded at eight hours. Pilots’ hours are restricted because their job affects the safety of others. They need to be well-rested to safely perform their job duties, as people’s lives depend on them.  Check In On Your Sleep Hab ..read more

Guest post by Lora Setter, LMCIT public safety program coordinator I was surprised to learn that the practice of making New Year’s resolutions dates back 4,000 years to Babylonian times. Though the Babylonians celebrated the start of the new year in March, resolutions throughout the centuries appear to maintain a common theme of people wanting to be better. A current resolution for many people, especially coming out of the holiday season, is to exercise more and eat healthier. Health clubs and gyms see a spike in memberships in January.  January not only starts a new year, but it’s also ..read more

Guest post by Lora Setter, LMCIT public safety program coordinator January is Mental Wellness Month. It’s a month dedicated to focusing on mental health. A time to prioritize positive mental health habits such as exercise, connecting with friends, practicing mindfulness, and paying close attention to how you’re feeling. It’s a time to consider if you can better manage your mental health by practicing healthy habits or if you need professional help to feel better. While mental wellness is important for everyone, it’s a particular focus for people in the public safety profession.  Respondi ..read more

Guest post by Lora Setter, LMCIT public safety coordinator Listening to holiday music recently, I heard the announcer say that the holidays are “about peace, love, joy, and family.” Though I don’t disagree, for many people the holiday season can be anything but peaceful and joyful. This is especially true for first responders like police officers, firefighters, and emergency services personnel. For public safety people, the holidays may seem to be more about car accidents, DWI arrests, shoplifting calls, disputes, house fires, and other tragic events in the communities they serve.  Along ..read more