ST PAUL, Minn. — *Editor's note: The above video first aired on June 21, 2023
A local foundation will give a $20,000 death benefit to the family of St. Paul Fire Captain Chris Parsons, who died suddenly last month.
The Front Line Foundation (TFLF), which helps support families of officers, firefighters, EMS and the Minnesota National Guard, will present Parsons' daughters, Annika and Kaya, a check Tuesday at the St. Paul Fire Department (SPFD) Headquarters. Parsons, a 22-year veteran of the SPFD, died five days after collapsing from a sudden heart ailment following a 5K race in Minneapolis.
“Chris was so young and revered by his fellow firefighters,” said TFLF President and CEO Suzanne Holt. “His untimely death is another example of the sacrifices our first responders make to protect us. We hope that this benefit will provide some small support as they endure a large loss.”
Parsons helped shine a spotlight on the hazards that first responders face and the toll it takes on their physical health. He was the head of the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters and pushed for changes in laws to improve safety for public safety workers. He also lobbied to ban cancer-causing flame retardants to create financial relief for injured firefighters and their families.
"He was able to get legislation passed that affected not only every fire fighter in Minnesota but those across the nation," said Tom Clark, the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters Secretary/Treasurer said last month. "Chris literally was 'head and shoulders' above everyone and always made a memorable impression."
Watch more local news:
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist:
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here