Donated saunas help firefighters detox and de-stress after calls

August 5, 2025
Fire

The Minneapolis Fire Department stations recently added a new piece of equipment to their buildings - and it's not for putting out fires. It’s designed to improve the health and well-being of our firefighters. 

Thanks to the Minneapolis Fire Foundation and five generous sponsors, firefighters at Stations 6, 7, 11, 14, and 17 now have access to new three-person infrared saunas. The saunas help firefighters:

  • Detoxify after fires and other incidents
  • Take time to physically and emotionally de-stress 
A group of firefighters pose in front of a donated sauna.
Pictured at Fire Station 7 from left to right: Firefighter Aaron Knot, FMO Jason Kronberg, Firefighter Jacob Perez, Cpt. Michael Graves, BC DaRoss Jones, Cpt. Benjamin Pena, FMO Garrett Snow, Minneapolis Fire Foundation Executive Director Steve Shapira, Cpt. Daniel Oberg

Foundation founder and President Steve Shapira, a former St. Paul Fire Captain, said that his own firefighter occupational cancer diagnosis led him to begin using a sauna to help with his chemotherapy treatments.

"Multiple studies have shown the benefits of saunas to sweat out toxins and other impurities that firefighters are exposed to while firefighting,” said Shapira. “This can significantly lower the risk of cancers, but also improve cardiovascular health, and help firefighters destress, given the difficult tasks they could face daily.” 

According to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), 72 percent of firefighters die from cancer. With several chemical products in homes, the toxins that burn increase health risks. To compound those issues, the physical and emotional stress of emergency response can contribute to serious health issues.

The Foundation, designed to fill budgetary gaps and provide for health and wellness equipment for firefighters, continues to seek donors to supply saunas to additional fire stations and the training facility at the City’s Emergency Operations and Training Center (EOTF).

In addition to providing the saunas and other cancer-risk reducing equipment, such as particulate fire hoods and decontamination kits, MFD Chief Bryan Tyner says the Foundation has arranged for free skin cancer screenings for firefighters.

“The Foundation’s work is doing a great job helping to keep firefighters and, by extension, the public safe," said MFD Chief Bryan Tyner.

Plans are underway to equip the remaining firehouses with saunas. 

A group of firefighters and city leadership pose in front of a donated sauna.
Office of Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette (far left), several Minneapolis firefighters, and Fire Chief Bryan Tyner (far right) at Fire Station 6.

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