Unanswered Maydays: Not leaving Sisters and Brothers behind!

Mike Jensen
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We are not hearing our brothers and sisters screaming "Mayday". There are three main areas where we are not answering the call for firefighters across the Nation!. These areas include Mental Health, Cancer, after the diagnosis, and Retirees. This joint venture between Houston FD and WSU Extension addresses the "firefighter" culture and provides resource experts and others to provide timely research based information.

  1. 14h ago

    Unanswered Maydays: Brotherhood Rewritten

    Brotherhood Rewritten, Firefighter Cancer, and the Unanswered Maydays That Follow the Call Mike Jensen speaks with Melinda Baum, a former firefighter turned documentarian, about firefighter cancer through the lens of female firefighters, coverage gaps, and the stories that get missed after the emergency is over. The conversation centers on how exposures, mental health strain, and insurance or workers’ comp barriers can compound over time In this episode, they discuss why firefighter cancer is still being fought as a coverage issue, why women firefighters are often left out of the conversation, and how Melinda’s film Brotherhood Rewritten aims to document these experiences before they disappear. Key topics The episode’s focuson firefighter cancer and the often overlooked experiences of female firefighters, framing the discussion as one about exposures that accumulate over time.Melinda Baum shares her fire service backgroundin Richardson, Texas, where she was hired in 1997 as the first female firefighter on shift and later left the department in 2010 after a cancer battle.She explains her path into the fire servicethrough EMT training, fire academy, and paramedic school, driven by a desire to run calls that made a difference.Her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2008became the personal turning point that made the occupational nature of firefighter cancer impossible to ignore, especially because her cancer was not genetic.The conversation highlights workers’ comp and presumptive coverage failures, including cases where firefighters with clearly job-related cancer still had to fight for benefits or were denied coverage altogether.Melinda argues the problem is systemic, with insurance companies, not just departments or governments, often standing in the way of treatment support and reimbursement. They connect cancer coverage to mental health, noting that the fire service culture often treats mental health challenges as weakness and encourages firefighters to “suck it up.” Mike introduces a burn, bite, kill framework, describing how exposures begin upstream, are absorbed on scene, and can later surface as cancer, cardiac disease, or other downstream harm. They discuss prevention and culture change, including gear cleaning, clean cab practices, annual scans and physicals, and the need to treat firefighter cancer as a prevention issue, not just an accepted risk.Female firefighter PPE fit is raised as a safety issue, with Melinda noting that gear was originally made for a male body and often did not fit her properly, increasing exposure risk.Melinda explains the purpose of Brotherhood Rewrittenas giving female firefighters visibility and pushing for equal treatment, equal coverage, and national recognition of occupational cancer across the fire service. The episode closes on the importance of storytelling, with both speakers emphasizing that research matters, but real change also requires the lived stories of firefighters and their families. Contacts: Mike Jensen mike.jensen@wsu.edu Support Brotherhood, Rewritten, use the donation page: https://brotherhoodrewritten.allyrafundraising.com/ Malinda Tattered Memories Productions (254) 338-4267

  2. Oct 1

    Unanswered Maydays: Sarah and Suzanne's Cancer Journey and Workmans Comp Battle Part 1 of 2.

    Suzanne LaFollette’s fight for cancer coverage Suzanne LaFollette, a 20-year Austin Fire Department veteran, and her wife, Sarah, share how Suzanne’s cancer diagnosis changed their lives—and led to a legal fight over workers’ compensation. The conversation highlights the challenges women firefighters can face when reproductive cancers aren’t clearly covered by presumptive laws, and the importance of Suzanne’s case for others in the fire service. Episode timeline 00:00 Introduction to Suzanne and Sarah’s story00:53 Suzanne’s 20 years with the Austin Fire Department01:40 How firefighting becomes part of a person’s identity02:38 Suzanne’s career as a firefighter, driver, lieutenant, and instructor04:07 Early symptoms and the path to diagnosis06:10 Suzanne’s initial disbelief and denial07:55 Learning the cancer was metastatic09:27 The impact on family life and daily routines11:19 Newlywed plans shift to treatment and caregiving12:01 Daily chemo and changes to work and home responsibilities14:17 Workers’ compensation is denied during chemotherapy15:34 Suzanne decides to fight for her case—and other women firefighters16:02 IAFF medical support and the judge’s ruling18:40 The financial stakes of losing coverage21:26 Firefighters and community members rally around the family22:47 More than 100 firefighters attend the courthouse hearing25:30 The difficulty of asking for help26:25 Practical support from fellow firefighters27:55 Closing and invitation to continue the conversation in part twoLessons learned A diagnosis affects the whole family. Treatment can reshape routines, work, finances, parenting, and plans for the future.Being fit doesn’t rule out serious illness. Suzanne describes how hard it was to accept her diagnosis after years of prioritizing her health.Workers’ comp coverage can have life-changing consequences. The denial put both Suzanne’s care and her family’s financial security under pressure.Advocacy can help people who come next. Suzanne chose to pursue her case partly to make the path easier for other women firefighters.Support can be practical as well as emotional. Meals, donations, household help, and a courthouse show of support made a real difference.Asking for help is difficult—but worth doing. Suzanne and Sarah describe how much the fire service community stepped in when they needed it.IAFF newsletter link The episode discusses Dr. Wu’s IAFF medical support and the legal fight: https://www.iaff.org/news/austin-fire-fighter-wins-landmark-cancer-case/

  3. Oct 1

    Unanswered Maydays: Sarah and Suzanne's Cancer Journey Part 2

    Unanswered Maydays — Part 2 of 2 Episode summary: In the second half of Mike Jensen’s conversation with Sarah and Suzanne Follette, Suzanne reflects on the support that made a cancer diagnosis more manageable—especially compassionate leadership, a reliable crew, and a strong support system outside the firehouse. The conversation then turns to the cumulative exposure risks firefighters face, what spouses and departments can do to help, and Suzanne’s direct advice for younger firefighters: prioritize protective equipment, choose a healthy crew culture, and build a life beyond the job. The episode closes with Suzanne sharing the inspiration behind her forthcoming poetry collection, Body Burns Slowly.Episode timeline 0:00 — Introduction to Part 2 Mike frames the conversation around how fire departments can support firefighters facing a serious diagnosis. 0:40 — Leadership during a diagnosis Suzanne describes how her battalion chief stepped in to handle leave, paperwork, and other immediate burdens. 1:50 — A chief who stays connected Suzanne explains how ongoing check-ins with injured or ill firefighters can make a lasting difference. 3:45 — Crew support and clearing the small burdens Her crew takes care of reports and station responsibilities so she can focus on her health. 4:15 — Teamwork under pressure Suzanne reflects on working with Aaron Henderson through an especially demanding period at the station. 6:10 — Looking back at occupational exposure Suzanne discusses the calls and habits she now associates with potential cancer risk, including incomplete respiratory protection. 7:20 — The challenge of measuring a firefighter’s exposure history Mike and Suzanne discuss how difficult it is to account for years of accumulated risk. 7:55 — A spouse’s perspective Sarah shares how Suzanne’s diagnosis changed her understanding of the long-term health risks of firefighting. 10:45 — Supporting firefighters’ families The conversation considers the value of helping spouses and families understand occupational health risks. 11:15 — Advice for young and current firefighters Suzanne urges firefighters to use protective equipment, advocate for safety, and seek out leaders and crews who take health seriously. 12:25 — Building a sustainable life beyond the department Suzanne emphasizes rest, supportive relationships, and avoiding unhealthy coping patterns. 14:35 — Closing reflections Sarah and Suzanne share their hope that their experience can help other firefighters and families. 15:10 — Suzanne’s poetry collection Suzanne introduces Body Burns Slowly, a forthcoming book of poems about firefighting, trauma, PTSD, and life beyond the job. 16:15 — Final thanks and future conversation The guests and Mike close the episode, with a possible future discussion centered on Suzanne’s book. Mike Jensen's contact: Mike.Jensen@wsu.edu

  4. Sep 28

    Unanswered Maydays: When the Mayday is your own. Also Texas Firefighter Home Song 2026

    When the Mayday is your own! Life changes. We cannot deny the reality of Cancer in the Fire Service. Summary Mike Jensen, shares his personal journey with firefighter cancer, the importance of support systems like the Texas Firefighter Home, and how prevention and intervention can save lives. This episode highlights the need for systemic change in firefighter health and safety. Also, a bonus! Stay around at the end for the 2026 Texas Firefighter Home Song.

  5. Sep 28

    Unanswered Maydays: Mike's Mayday

    A Bonus clip from the larger segment that describes Mike Jensen's own Mayday and the reality of Firefighter Cancer. We cannot deny the reality of Cancer in the Fire Service. Mike Jensen, shares his personal journey with firefighter cancer, the importance of support systems like the Texas Firefighter Home, and how prevention and intervention can save lives. This episode highlights the need for systemic change in firefighter health and safety.

  6. Sep 20

    Unanswered Maydays: When the Maday becomes your own!

    We cannot deny the reality of Cancer in the Fire Service. Summary Mike Jensen, shares his personal journey with firefighter cancer, the importance of support systems like the Texas Firefighter Home, and how prevention and intervention can save lives. This episode highlights the need for systemic change in firefighter health and safety.

  7. Jul 30 ·  Bonus

    Unanswered Maydays: Bonus! Firefighters: Managing Exposure, Not Just Tactics

    Part of a longer episode, but an important concept! The conversation explores the risk and influence of firefighters, the cultural shift in the fire service, and the need to value survivability. It delves into the challenges and changes in the firefighting profession, emphasizing the importance of safety and cultural transformation. Intentionallly direct. Mike Jensen :mike.jensen@wsu.edu Takeaways Firefighters inherit and influence riskCultural shift in the fire serviceSurvivability must be valued Chapters 00:00 Firefighter Risk and Influence11:39 Cultural Shift in the Fire Service

  8. Jul 30

    Unanswered Maydays: Role of Elected Officials in Reducing Firefighter Exposure

    The episode explores the impact of policy decisions, community resilience, and individual actions on reducing firefighter exposure. It emphasizes the importance of prevention and mitigation efforts in ensuring firefighter safety and survivability. Takeaways Policy decisions and community resilience play a crucial role in reducing firefighter exposure.Prevention and mitigation efforts are essential for ensuring firefighter safety and survivability. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Firefighter Exposure03:13 Impact of Elected Officials and Policy Decisions06:41 Community Resilience and Firefighter Safety08:30 Interventions within Fire Departments11:10 Individual Firefighter Actions13:43 The Future of Firefighter Survivability MLA-Style Works CitedBrenkert-Smith, Hannah. “Trying Not to Get Burned: Understanding Homeowners’ Wildfire Risk-Mitigation Behaviors.” Environmental Management, vol. 50, 2012, pp. 1139–1151. Cohen, Jack D. “Preventing Disaster: Home Ignitability in the Wildland-Urban Interface.” Journal of Forestry, vol. 98, no. 3, 2000, pp. 15–21.  Cohen, Jack D. “Reducing the Wildland Fire Threat to Homes: Where and How Much?” Proceedings of the Symposium on Fire Economics, Planning, and Policy: Bottom Lines, edited by Armando González-Cabán and Philip N. Omi, USDA Forest Service General Technical Report PSW-GTR-173, 1999, pp. 189–195. Cohen, Jack D. “The Wildland–Urban Interface Fire Problem: A Consequence of the Fire Exclusion Paradigm.” Forest History Today, Fall 2008, pp. 20–26.  Dickinson, Katherine L., Hannah Brenkert-Smith, Gregory Madonia, and Nicholas E. Flores. “Risk Interdependency, Social Norms, and Wildfire Mitigation: A Choice Experiment.” Natural Hazards, vol. 103, 2020, pp. 1327–1354. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network. “Community Wildfire Protection Plan Portal and Data Library.” Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network.  Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. “Near-Building Noncombustible Zone.” IBHS. Maranghides, Alexander, and William Mell. Framework for Addressing the National Wildland Urban Interface Fire Problem—Determining Fire and Ember Exposure Zones Using a WUI Hazard Scale. NIST Technical Note 1748, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2012.  National Fire Protection Association. Firewise USA®. NFPA.  National Institute of Standards and Technology. “Wildland–Urban Interface Fire Group.” NIST.  United States Fire Administration. “Community Risk Reduction.” USFA / FEMA.  United States Fire Administration. “Fire-Adapted Communities.” USFA / FEMA.  U.S. Forest Service. “Fire Adapted Communities.” USDA Forest Service. “For elected officials who want to go deeper, I would start with five resources: Jack Cohen’s work on home ignitability, USFA’s Fire-Adapted Communities material, NFPA’s Firewise USA program, NIST’s Wildland–Urban Interface Fire research, and the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network’s CWPP resources. Together, these show that wildfire mitigation is not only about saving homes. It is about reducing community risk and improving safety for residents and firefighters.” Mike Jensen mike.jensen@wsu.edu

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We are not hearing our brothers and sisters screaming "Mayday". There are three main areas where we are not answering the call for firefighters across the Nation!. These areas include Mental Health, Cancer, after the diagnosis, and Retirees. This joint venture between Houston FD and WSU Extension addresses the "firefighter" culture and provides resource experts and others to provide timely research based information.

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