Senator Howe Awarded Bronze Axe

(KNSI) – Minnesota Senator Jeff Howe was recognized with the Bronze Axe award last week.

The award from the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative is the highest honor they bestow and was given to Senator Howe for his leadership in the fight for firefighters’ health and wellness.

“Minnesota’s fire service is grateful for Senator Howe’s unwavering support to provide our state’s hometown heroes with the health and wellness resources they need and deserve,” said MnFIRE President George Esbensen. “The commemorative bronze axe is the highest honor we can bestow to show our appreciation for the commitment and support these legislators have demonstrated for Minnesota’s 20,000 volunteer, paid-on-call, part-time and full-time firefighters.”

Sen. Howe was one of the authors of the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, which dedicates $4 million per year to ensure that every Minnesota firefighter will have access to the education, prevention, and care needed to handle a cardiac, emotional trauma, or cancer diagnosis.

The program combines three elements: an assistance program with expanded emotional trauma resources, an up-to-$20,000 critical illness policy, and ongoing health and wellness training. All active Minnesota firefighters can access the MnFIRE Assistance Program, are automatically enrolled in the Critical Illness insurance policy, and can receive training – all at no cost.

This is the second time Howe has won the award. He tells KNSI he will continue to be a voice for firefighters in the Minnesota legislature.

“It’s always been near and dear to me because I spent 27 years in the fire service. They are one of my chosen fields that I keep close to my breast and work hard to protect because I know what they put out there. I know what they sacrifice and know what they do.”

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