ST. PAUL, MN] – Today, Governor Walz signed Chapter 49, HF 2746 into law, a bill authored by Representative Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins) which helps to ensure that Minnesota firefighters continue to have access to much-needed resources to protect their physical and mental health. Governor Walz signed the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program into law in July 2021, dedicating $4 million per year so that Minnesota firefighters have access to the education, prevention, and care to handle a cardiac, emotional trauma, or cancer diagnosis.
“Our dedicated firefighters work hard every day to keep us safe and risk their own health and safety while they’re taking care of us,” said Rep. Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins). “They deserve ongoing support and I was glad to author this legislation that makes that possible.
The Hometown Heroes Assistance Program is the most comprehensive in the nation of its kind, providing firefighters with free access to emotional trauma resources, up to $20,000 from critical illness insurance policies, and ongoing health and wellness training, including evidence-based suicide prevention strategies.
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