New Minnesota Law Aims to Enhance Cyber Defenses

There were more than 1,000 cybersecurity incidents, including data breaches and ransomware attacks, in Minnesota in 2023 — hitting schools, universities, and government offices, according to a WCCO news story. As cyber threats continue to increase and evolve, many state and local governments are implementing cybersecurity plans, like Minnesota’s Cybersecurity Plan from Minnesota IT Services (MNIT), and strengthening their cyber defenses.  

A state new law, effective Jan. 1, 2025, aims to enhance cyber defenses by collecting information about cybersecurity incidents in Minnesota. Cities, including law enforcement agencies, are subject to these requirements. A cybersecurity incident is defined by law as an action taken using an information system or network that results in an actual or potentially adverse effect on an information system, network, or the information it contains.  

The law requires public agencies, including cities, counties, higher education, school and related intermediate districts, law enforcement agencies, state agencies, and townships to report cybersecurity incidents beginning Dec. 1, 2024. Also, if a cybersecurity incident affects a public agency, contractors or vendors working with the government must inform the agency about the incident. The goal is to collect information that can help all agencies understand how security controls are bypassed and assist other organizations in defending IT resources and data. 

Required entities should report cybersecurity incidents that impact services, systems, or people. This includes successful cyber events that compromise agency accounts, systems, data, or that bypass security controls and target government systems. Examples include compromised accounts and passwords, defacement, denial of service (DoS), network attack, potential data exposure, ransomware, social engineering, unauthorized access, web application attack, or attacks targeting systems that control industrial processes, such as factories and utilities.  

The report must be made within 24 hours if criminal justice information and systems are impacted and within 72 hours of the government entity, public agency or the contractor discovering the incident or reasonably identifies or believes that a cybersecurity incident has occurred. Cybersecurity incident reporting is in addition to other reporting requirements, like those for the Office of the Legislative Auditor and data breach reports required by Minnesota law. 

How to file a cyber incident report

The required report can be completed online through MNIT’s Cybersecurity Incident Reporting webpage. Cyber incidents reports can also be made over the phone or via email at the contact information listed below:   

• MNIT Enterprise Service Desk: 651-297-1111 or 1-888-717-6638; cn.mnit@state.mn.us
• Minnesota Fusion Center: 651-793-3730 or 1-800-422-0798; mn.fc@state.mn.us
• Bureau of Criminal Apprehension – Information Security Office: 651-793-2500 or email emergent criminal justice information and system issues to bca.servicedesk@state.mn.us and bca.iso@state.mn.us
• Emergent election issues can also be sent to MNOSS.cybersecurity@state.mn.us

Before sharing threat reports with local entities, the reports will be anonymized to ensure the names and details of impacted organizations remain confidential.

If you have any comments or need further guidance, contact me at tstille@lmc.org or (651) 215-4051. 

In the meantime, stay safe!    

Tracy

National Law Enforcement Suicide Awareness Day 2024

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 duty. For many, that is where the conversation about law enforcement and first responder suicide stops.

This year, Minnesota’s public safety agencies have witnessed significant loss by suicide, with each incident just as tragic as the one before. This begs the question, why aren’t agencies getting better at seeing the signs and why isn’t our standard approach of “ask, probe, and refer” working?  

Cumulative Trauma and Compartmentalizing

The truth is that the primary drivers of suicide risk are different for first responders. Suicide risk is increased within public safety due to the nature of the work, which regularly exposes individuals to high levels of trauma and stress. These repeated experiences can lead to cumulative trauma, where the emotional weight of each incident adds up over time, resulting in chronic stress and traumatic injuries.

First responders often excel at compartmentalizing their emotions, an essential skill that keeps first responders safe in the work they do. However, when psychological and emotional pain is compartmentalized and suppressed, it can have negative consequences. The need to belong, and the fear that they will be judged, or considered unfit for duty, or seen as a burden to their friends, family or colleagues, is enough to keep everything hidden. It is imperative that we rethink our approach to suicide prevention within the first responder community.

Innovative Strategies

Dr. Shauna Springer, chief psychologist for Stella, a leading authority for innovative trauma treatments, suggests an alternate approach – one specifically for first responders.

Dr. Springer's approach to suicide in the first responder community focuses on normalizing discussions about mental health to diminish the stigma often associated with these topics.

She advocates for "equalizing" trauma experiences, reminding first responders that they are not alone, and relaying the message that we are all resilient until we are not. Her framework encourages individuals to "ask" about each other’s well-being, highlighting the need for a strong connection, and fostering a culture where checking in becomes a regular practice. By introducing the concept of "encircling," she underscores the necessity of a supportive network that surrounds those in distress, cultivating a sense of belonging and safety. Finally, the principle of "holding" highlights the importance of holding the connection, to ensure that first responders feel valued and cared for, which ultimately contributes to a healthier and more resilient community.

With established wellness programs and greater recognition of trauma’s physiological and psychological impact on the body within the first responder communities, we have an opportunity to recognize where traditional response has failed and build a new approach. Addressing these issues requires collaboration and cultures that prioritize well-being. Through open discussions about the impacts of stress and trauma and promoting self-awareness, we can work toward reducing the stigma and ultimately lowering the risk of suicide within public safety.

If you or your loved one is experiencing thoughts of suicide and would like to talk about it, please consider the list of resources provided on our website. 

Learn, Improve, Protect: Boost Your Agency’s Performance with After-Action Review Training

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 as an open and honest exchange of ideas and observations among team members and when it is used to to convey a commitment to identifying solutions. It can also be useful for providing feedback to improve performance and to recognize a job well done.

Research Shows High-Performing Agencies Use AARs

The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) recently completed the second year of three-year a research study with Benchmark Analytics to utilize predictive analysis to identify key risk factors facing Trust member law enforcement agencies and to provide evidence-based recommendations for approaches to address these risks. One of the leading findings of the research addressed AARs. The research showed a strong correlation to a reduction in both liability and workers’ compensation claims for agencies that had established an extensive AAR process.    

LMCIT to Offer AAR Training

LMCIT is sponsoring training this October to assist our members in learning more about the importance of AARs and how to conduct them. In this half-day workshop for public safety professionals, participants will learn how to improve their agency’s response to incidents and promote first responder and community safety. 

By attending the workshop, you will gain an increased understanding of the importance of conducting both informal debriefs and formal AARs by instilling a culture of continuous learning. This low-cost training will be led by Jennifer Zeunik, former senior director of safety and justice programs at the National Policing Institute (NPI), and Rick Braziel, former chief of the Sacramento Police Department.

The training is available at two locations: Oct. 1 in St. Cloud and Oct. 2 in Cottage Grove. Learn more about the AAR training and register.

Additional Resources Available to Help Your Agency Develop an AAR Process

There are several resources available that can assist your agency in developing its own AAR process. The resources below also provide best-practice recommendations to maintain a professional and trusting environment, as the focus of any AAR process needs to be on learning and improvement, including individual performance and training along with a recognition and rewards program.   

• How to Conduct an After-Action Review (COPS/National Police Foundation)
• After-Action Review (International Association of Chiefs of Police) 
• Risk Management in Law Enforcement – Discussions on identifying and mitigating risk for officers, departments, and the public (U.S. Department of Justice)
• Planning for Critical Incident Responses and Model Policy (League of Minnesota Cities)
• Evidence-Based Practice Quick Start Guide: After-Action Reviews (League of Minnesota Cities) - contact me at the info below if you would like a copy

If you have any specific comments or questions or would like a copy of these resources — including the Quick Start Guide — emailed to you, contact me at tstille@lmc.org or (651) 215-4051.

In the meantime, stay safe!   

Tracy

Mental Health Is a Continuous Journey: Reflections on a Career in Public Safety

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 may not come home. As a parent I wanted to calm her fears and so I assured her I would be safe. Thankfully, I stayed true to my word. Sadly, we know that’s not true for everyone in public safety. A recent Star Tribune article sounded the alarm about “rising attacks on law enforcement.” This disturbing headline should concern anyone who values the role public safety plays in our communities.  

Another less publicized concern is the number of public safety people who die by their own hands from untreated mental illness. Many wounds suffered by public safety people are invisible. Even if they make it home physically, they may not come home mentally. We know that due to the nature of their job duties, public safety personnel are at increased risk of trauma-related mental illness, like depression, anxiety, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Normalize the conversation around mental health

The first step in helping public safety people stay mentally well is to normalize the conversation. When I was an officer, those struggling on the job or at home didn’t talk about it openly out of fear of losing their job or the respect of their colleagues. Cops, firefighters, and other emergency personnel were expected to be tough and just “rub a little dirt on it.” We know now that isn’t the answer. 

Recently, three brave officers shared their stories of suffering and recovering from post-traumatic stress and co-occurring mental health challenges in a powerful video. The video also highlights a police chief who talks about the support he gave an officer who came forward revealing that he suffered from mental illness. The chief helped his officer get the treatment he needed, which eventually saved the officer’s career. We can prevent harm by creating cultures of openness and wellness, where public safety personnel are encouraged to talk about their struggles. 

June is PTSD Awareness Month

I’ve been collaborating with a cross-section of organizations over the past three years to bring awareness to the issue of public safety mental health, while promoting acceptance, prevention, and treatment. The three pillars of the MN Public Safety Wellness Initiative are Accept – Prevent – Treat. I’m pleased to report that we’ve seen brave leaders, individuals and departments leading this change in agencies across the state. 

June is PTSD Awareness month and June 27 is PTSD Awareness Day. It’s a time to shine a light on the issue of public safety mental health. But it’s important to remember that wellness is a continuous journey. It never stops. Public safety people are some of the most resilient people, but resiliency is not static. It’s a variable skill that needs constant attention and support.

Hope for the future

Lora Setter, 2023

The physical and mental well-being of our public safety people should be of paramount concern for every community member. As I prepare to retire from my role in public safety wellness, my hope for the future is that every first responder has the support and care they need to stay well – so moms and dads who choose a career in the noble profession of public safety can confidently assure their children that they will be safe both physically and mentally.    

New Emergency Response Guidebook Now Available

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) preparedness and suggest actions to strengthen hazmat preparedness throughout the United States. It is important that you utilize the newest ERG as it will have the current evacuation zones during a release, the most recent first-aid procedures for medical emergencies, and many other items related to hazmat response. 

Local public safety departments can request the printed guidebooks from your local or state emergency management organizations, or you can download the 2024 ERG from the DOT website. 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at twalsh@lmc.org or (651) 281-1231. 

Remember:   Responder Safety = Public Safety

In the meantime, stay safe!

Troy

Small Cities: Apply Now for a Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant

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 comply with existing state and county rural fire protection plans. 

To learn more about the VFA Grant Program and how to apply, download the 2025 VFA Grant Application or visit the DNR's Rural Fire Department Assistance webpage.

The grant application deadline is July 1. The end of this grant period is June 2025.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at twalsh@lmc.org or (651) 281-1231. 

Remember:   Responder Safety = Public Safety

In the meantime, stay safe!

Troy

Minnesota POST Board Adopts New Pursuit Model Policy

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 engaged in a total of 759 pursuits.

Minn. Stat. § 626.5532 Subd. 1 requires Minnesota law enforcement agencies to report instances where a peace officer pursues a fleeing subject in a motor vehicle being operated in violation of Minn. Stat. § 609.487. This data must be reported on the pursuit reporting form to the commissioner of public safety within 30 days of the incident.

Updated Model Policy Available on POST Board Website

Law enforcement in the United States is experiencing immense change through various police reform practices and policies. Correspondingly, it is important to learn the legal concepts related to police pursuits and emergency vehicle operations of police vehicles. The League of Minnesota Cities has a model policy that covers emergency vehicle operation, and the Minnesota POST Board, per Minn. Stat. § 626.8458, approved an updated vehicle pursuits model policy on Jan. 25, 2024. The Minnesota POST Board requires all law enforcement agencies to update and align their vehicle pursuit and emergency vehicles operation policy with the model policy and to “adopt, implement, and enforce” the required policy per Minnesota Administrative Rule 6700.1615, Subd. 1(A).

Per Subp. 2 of this new administrative rule, the chief law enforcement officer must ensure the current version of each required policy is:

• Posted on the agency’s website (or in a public area of the physical premises for agencies without a website)
• Provided upon request to an individual or organization
• Provided to each peace officer employed by the agency
• Reviewed at least annually with each officer
• Enforced at all levels of the agency; and
• Violations of a required policy are reported to the POST Board

Due to the new administrative rule and current statutory requirements, along with the potential legal liabilities of police pursuits, a law enforcement agency should consult with their legal advisor or city attorney before adopting any required policies, including the newly updated vehicle pursuit and emergency operations policy. Your agency should consult with your legal advisor to ensure that the updated policy includes the “identical or substantially similar” provisions of the board’s model policy, although your agency may incorporate additional agency-specific requirements or more stringent requirements to ensure the policy focuses on the safety of all involved, includes qualifying language specific to your agency, and appropriately identifies and describes any ministerial and discretionary duties and acts so that your officers are provided the protections under the law and your agency respects the sanctity of life when making decisions regarding vehicle pursuits.   

Benchmark Analytics Research Study

The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) recently completed the second year of a research study that utilizes predictive analysis to identify key risk factors facing Trust member law enforcement agencies and to provide evidence-based recommendations for approaches most likely to address these risks. 

Two of the identified evidence-based practices focused on how an agency manages emergency call response and police pursuits. The research shows a strong correlation to a reduction in liability claims for agencies that have an emergency vehicle operations policy for responding to incidents such as medicals, crimes in progress, and fire calls. Additionally, the research shows a strong correlation to both a reduction in liability claims and workers’ compensation claims for agencies that adopted a restrictive vehicle pursuit policy.  

The League Has Resources and Training to Help

The League has resources to assist you with your policy development for police pursuits and emergency vehicle operations (these resources supplement the model policy provided by the Minnesota POST Board): 

• Vehicular Pursuits, A Guide for Law Enforcement Executives on Managing the Associated Risks, Police Executive Research Forum, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (2023)
• Vehicular Pursuits, International Association of Chiefs of Police (2019)  
• Discretionary Response to Calls for Service, International Association of Chiefs of Police (2023)
• Law Enforcement Emergency Vehicle Operations, League of Minnesota Cities (2023)
• Liability Issues in Emergency Vehicle and Pursuit Operations, Memorandum of Law, League of Minnesota Cities - PATROL (2022) 
• This memo can be found by logging into your PATROL account. If you would like a copy but do not have a PATROL account, please contact me at tstille@lmc.org
• New POST Model Pursuit Policy, PATROL Special Update (2024)
• This memo can be found by logging into your PATROL account. If you would like a copy but do not have a PATROL account, please contact me at tstille@lmc.org
• Analyzing, Predicting, and Mitigating Law Enforcement Risks to Improve Member Outcomes, League of Minnesota Cities in partnership with Benchmark Analytics (2024) 
• This report is not currently available online, but contact me at tstille@lmc.org if you would like a copy.

The League and our partners at Benchmark Analytics will share additional findings of the multi-year research analysis with LMCIT member agencies at the upcoming 2024 Loss Control Workshops held at nine locations across the state this spring. Learn how top-performing agencies reduce incidents, officer injuries, and staff turnover and how your agency could significantly reduce your injury and liability claims.  

If you have any specific comments or questions or any difficulty obtaining the resources mentioned above, you may contact me at tstille@lmc.org or (651) 215-4051. 

Remember: Responder Safety = Public Safety

In the meantime, stay safe!    

Tracy

A Reminder to Sleep Like Lives Depend on It

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 Habits During Sleep Awareness Week

As National Sleep Awareness Week approaches this March, I am reminded why it’s important that public safety professionals – like pilots – get a chance to sleep and reset the clock each day: lives depend on it, both their own lives and the people served in our communities. 

Many public safety departments routinely schedule their personnel for 10- and 12-hour shifts. Personnel are allowed to work up to 16 hours before they run out of time. This is twice the number of hours that a solo pilot is allowed to work. Organizations use these extended shifts because they provide economic benefit, as more hours can be covered with fewer people. Many line-level people muscle through long shifts because they know at the end of their work cycle, they’ll enjoy a longer stretch of time off. When it comes to volunteer public safety services, there’s often no telling when the clock starts running. They respond when duty calls, often after or during their other responsibilities, like working full-time or providing childcare. This could mean showing up well-rested after a relaxing weekend or being jolted awake in the middle of the night after a hard day. 

Getting enough sleep is integral to maintaining positive mental health. Being fatigued creates opportunities for traumatic brain injuries, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as other risks such as heart disease, cancer, depression, anxiety, etc. 

Tips for Better Sleep

We recognize that it’s important, but getting good sleep is easier said than done – especially after a hard shift and if daytime is your bedtime. Here are a few helpful tips for getting straight to sleep, sunup or sundown.

1. 
   Avoid caffeine three to four hours before you plan to sleep.
2. Don’t drive drowsy. If you need to, take a 15-minute power nap before heading home. 
3. If the sun is up, wear sunglasses on your commute to start winding down and prep for sleep.
4. As tempting as it might be to stay awake, go to bed as soon as you get home. 
5. Sunup or down, establish and stick to a bedtime routine to help put you in the mood for sleep. 
6. Put your phone in “Do Not Disturb” mode to avoid being distracted by texts, calls and emails.
7. Make your bedroom as dark as possible. You can wear an eye mask, turn on a white noise machine and keep the room cool to make sleep even more appealing. 
8. Let roommates or household members know that loud activities are off-limits during your strict sleeping hours. Wearing earplugs can also help drown out noise and promote a restful sleep.

Everyone Needs Rest

It’s important to remember that first responders aren’t super-human, they have the same biological needs for sleep as pilots and everyone else. With the work they do and the traumas they experience, it’s important that police officers and firefighters aren’t held in the trenches too long, for their own health and because lives depend on them. 

Resolve to Strengthen Your Mental Health This Year

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 Mental Wellness Month. A time dedicated to focusing on our mental health. It’s impossible to argue the benefits of eating healthy and exercising, but paying attention to mental health is just as important. According to Forbes Health, “Overall, 48% of people say improving fitness is a top priority in 2024 while 36% cite improved mental health as a top resolution (respondents could select more than one). 55% say physical and mental health are of equal importance.” To strengthen the body, exercise needs to be a consistent practice or habit. It’s the same with mental health. Practicing daily mental health habits help to strengthen mental resiliency.

Some mental health habits to include into your daily routine are: 

Check in with yourself often, asking the question – How am I feeling? Knowing how you’re feeling helps in being aware of how you’re thinking. How you’re feeling and thinking impact how you act.  How you act affects how you feel and think. It’s all connected.  

Know what you can control. Many things that frustrate us are out of our control. It’s hard to keep this at the forefront of our thinking because public safety is in the control business. When life gets out of control, public safety is called to bring order to chaos. For this reason, people working in public safety can lose sight of what they really have control over. With every situation, taking the time to ask yourself, “Is this something I can control?” will help to remind you that the only thing you have control over is yourself. How you react and show up is the only thing that is truly within your power.  

Choose to be positive. Let’s face it, public safety is a tough business. You’re often meeting people in their worst moments and you’re continuously experiencing or hearing about crisis situations, tragedies and calls that are simply sad. Keeping items at the ready that can help you stay positive is important. It can be a favorite picture of a fun time, listening to music that uplifts you, looking at a funny meme, or something that consistently makes you smile or laugh. Anything that helps you focus on the positive. 

Focus on purpose. Knowing your purpose is like having a superpower. Reminding yourself daily why you do what you do and staying purpose filled about what calls you to public safety work is paramount to mental and physical health. Research shows that people who have purpose live longer.  

Find a feedback partner. Having a trusted confidant, someone you can share your innermost feelings and frustrations with, can help alleviate stress. Allow this person to hold the mirror up for you, too. Sometimes it’s hard to know how we’re showing up. Having a trusted friend, colleague, or peer support person provide a listening ear, guidance and feedback can help ensure that you’re bringing your best self to the work you do. 

Breathe. To alleviate stress and negative thinking, take short deep breathing breaks. Even taking 2-3 minutes to focus on your breath can help to calm your nervous system. There are many apps with breathing exercises that prompt you to take a few moments to yourself throughout the day. 

Take it a step further with mindfulness. Mindfulness is a meditation practice that focuses on being in the present; fully in the here and now, not ruminating about what has happened or worrying about what may happen. The Mayo Clinic offers three simple steps for practicing mindfulness:

• Pay attention. Take the time to experience your environment with all your senses — touch, sound, sight, smell, and taste. For example, when you eat a favorite food, take the time to smell, taste, and truly enjoy it.
• Live in the moment. Try to intentionally bring open, accepting, and discerning attention to everything you do. Find joy in simple pleasures.
• Accept yourself. Treat yourself the way you would treat a good friend.

Prioritizing sleep, exercise, and healthy food choices are daily habits that are paramount to staying mentally resilient. Protect your sleep and make it a priority. Coming to work fully rested helps to prepare you for the things you may see or do. When possible, take short walk breaks during your shift to help increase blood flow to your brain, which helps with decision making. The adage you are what you eat is very true when it comes to your brain. Keeping a healthy, resilient brain means keeping a healthy diet.

As we continue the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions, let’s resolve this year to stay as aware of our mental health as we do our physical health.    

Support Public Safety Wellness During Mental Wellness Month

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. 

Responding to car accidents, medical emergencies, death scenes, house fires, and other tragic events, along with the normal everyday stressors of being human, can take a toll on the mental health of a first responder. First responders absorb the traumas and pain of the community; therefore, they must be supported with wellness, resilience, and treatment strategies. 

There is an organization working to bring more awareness to the issue of public safety mental health called the MN Public Safety Wellness Initiative. It’s made up of 15 organizations that want public safety personnel, city/county governments, and the greater community to stay aware of the fact that because of the nature of their job duties public safety personnel may be at an increased risk of trauma-related mental illnesses. 

To further these ideas, the MN Public Safety Wellness Initiative has created a public safety mental health campaign with the mantra ACCEPT – PREVENT – TREAT:  

ACCEPT – Let’s talk about our troubles and normalize the conversation about mental health challenges.

PREVENT – Create wellness philosophies in public safety, so public safety personnel have the resources to be well and stay well.  

TREAT – Public safety personnel can be successfully treated for mental illness while continuing to work and allowing them to return to work after being treated. 

As we recognize that January is Mental Wellness Month, let’s also be aware of the mental health challenges that public safety work may create. Let’s support public safety personnel in their efforts to be well and stay well. Happy New Year!