EP Professional Firefighters Local 5539

05/15/2026

Foundation, glue, leader, steadfast, mentor, advocate, teacher, friend.

Words are tough to come up with when trying to describe what a person has meant to us, our department, our city… Chief Parker embodies what someone in the fire service should be. Perfectly navigating the line between Ward and Chief. Chief 2, for the last 28 years has been someone you can go to for anything, advice, encouragement, direction, sounding board, a silent presence when you just need company.

We all knew the day would come when Chief Parker hung it up, and although not how or when we expected it today at 1700 Chief 2 will call out of service from the EPFD.

Whether it was at a fire, in a meeting, on a FEMA deployment, in the office or anywhere he was you could always count on him. “Chief 2 is out” has been a radio call that made everything ok, everyone knew we were in good hands.

Good luck in your “future endeavors” Chief, we love you brother!

05/13/2026

9% and 14%! 9% more likely to receive a cancer diagnosis and 14% more likely to lose that battle. This is huge for the families who continue to fight even after the fire is out!

HUGE news from the state capitol tonight:

The Minnesota Legislature has passed legislation that will add cancer as an eligible condition for the state Public Safety Officers’ Benefit (PSOB), which is a benefit paid to the families who lose a firefighter or police officer in the line of duty. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for a signature.

Cancer is the most common cause of firefighter LODDs—this law ensures those who make the ultimate sacrifice are treated the same, no matter if the cause is cancer, heart disease, stroke, or injuries sustained at a fire.

This law mirrors the federal HONOR Act passed in December last year, which ensures families of firefighters who perish from job-related cancer receive the federal PSOB, and they will now receive the Minnesota PSOB too.

This massive legislative victory represents years of hard work by the MPFF board, especially by President Scott Vadnais, who has worked tirelessly this session to push for this bill until it became law.

Special thank you to Senator Judy Seeberger and Representative Pete Johnson for leading the charge on this bill in their respective houses. Thank you to Representatives Kelly Moller and Paul Novotny for finding the vehicle to move the bill through the legislature, and to Senator Erin Murphy for getting this bill added in late into the session.

Thank you especially to Julie Paidar, who has been a champion of this legislation and a driving force that inspires all of us.

Lastly, thank you to all of our members across Minnesota. Your support and participation in this union is what makes change like this possible, and you are who we fight for every year at the Capitol. It’s an honor to serve our members!

05/08/2026

Seeds of Hope Books is a collection of books and workbooks specifically focused on family and loved ones navigating a world dealing with a family member dealing with mental illness, PTSD or other traumas.

The work Dr. Michelle D. Sherman and her mom DeAnne Sherman have put into helping others in the military, first responder, and trauma survivor communities speaks volumes the the content of their character and the good in their souls.

Please please please take advantage of any and all resources but we encourage you to check Seeds of Hope Books out for you or your family! Having multiple former military and retired and active firefighters in their family they are well tuned on what we and our families go through!

LINK TO THEIR WEBSITE IS IN OUR BIO

I for one am glad you’re here! Keep going!

05/07/2026

We could not be more proud of the work we as a Local have done in our first year of existence. A common phrase in the fire community is "Service Before Self" and at a time where there were only 7 members of our Local we were able to earn Rookie Local of The Year from the for our campaign. All of the donations collected went directly to and we are very very proud of not only what we were able to accomplish but what the as a whole has done for the research and treatment of . Huge shoutout to for allowing us to host our event at their location. We hope to see you this year the weekend before Deer Hunting Opener, let's fill the boot AND those freezers!

05/06/2026

While trying to come up with the right thing to say in this post, I drew a blank.

While searching for the right pictures to post I was reminded of how genuine, hardworking and passionate Joseph was.

Passion is the correct word to describe him. Passionate about life, passionate about his families, passionate about sharing his gifts, his passion and his knowledge to everyone around him.

On the last shift I ever worked with him, when asked what he wanted me to make for dinner all I heard back was “The fattest, greasiest, gnarliest BLT you can come up with” that’s what he got, I can still hear his laugh echoing out while exclaiming how much he loved it.

Joseph brought that smile, that love for putting in the work to earn the good times to everything he did. And I feel comfortable speaking for the EPFD, EFD and every life he touched that we are better having known him, much less called him friend.

Take the damn selfie because life does not suck!

05/05/2026

We are excited to continue collaborating with the for this year’s shred event! Some of our local members sit as city staff advisors on the senior advisory council, and we’re very excited for the opportunity to interact with the people we serve while simultaneously helping by securely disposing of important documents.

Take the stress of those D.O.O.M. (Didn’t organize, only moved) piles out of your junk drawer, off your desk, out of your file cabinet and bring them directly to an EP Local 5539 firefighter who will deliver them directly to the shred truck!

More info and directions can be found on the website https://www.edenprairiemn.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/17348/1869

Hope to see you there!

05/04/2026

Some of the most important equipment in the fire service can’t be found on a fire truck. It’s the people beside you.

The fire service brings long hours, difficult calls, stress, and sacrifice; but it also brings a brotherhood and sisterhood built on trust, support, and showing up for one another when it matters most. Checking in after hard calls, having conversations that others may never understand, and knowing your crew always has your back is what makes this profession special.

Mental health matters. Taking care of each other matters. And reminding one another that nobody fights battles alone matters.

Stay safe, look out for your crew, and never hesitate to reach out.

05/02/2026

Although the job we love and work so hard for is inherently dangerous, the most dangerous aspect of it is not talked about nearly enough.

Firefighters are more likely to die from su***de than in the line of duty. Between 2000 and 2025, 2,078 firefighter su***des were reported. Unfortunately, that number, is in reality significantly higher as they are often unreported.

In Eden Prairie - City Government we are eternally grateful that our city and command staff put such an emphasis on not only our physical health but our mental health. We have access to a mental health provider 24/7, no questions asked.

In the world of EMS and emergency response it’s easy to have the mentality that people would rather see us die on our white horse than see us come off of it. Even horses need breaks. Let them rest. Reach out to your support system, reach out to someone, anyone.

You are not alone, and I for one am glad you’re here, keep going!

1-800-273-8255

04/27/2026

We are very excited to have sworn in 8 new members this last Saturday! The amount of good our Local can do within our City directly relates to the strength of our numbers and our solidarity! Welcome Brothers and Sister to Local 5539!