Enforce mental health training forwildland firefighters.

 

This bill intends to better enforce mental health training among wildland firefighters and encourage peer support

officers. The bill plans to require yearly mental health training for firefighters and further training for elected

support officers.

 

Forest fires are an increasing issue especially in northern minnesota. On average there are 1,200 or more forest fires

per year. The increasing number of fires is in turn increasing the need for mental health support for firefighters.

 

The Department of public safety will ensure all wildland firefighters complete a minimum of eight hours of mental health

preparedness training within their first six months of service, and annual refresher training afterword. Training must

include mental health first aid, crisis response strategies, peer-support protocols, and post-deployment recovery

practices.

 

Funds would be realicated from the minnesota department of public saftey starting with a single department. With proof

of concept more funding will be provided to allow statewide mental health training.

 

Minnesota department of public safety would maintain a list of all eligible firefighters. Departments must commit

training to continue to recieve funding.

 

July 2nd.