Tailboard Talk: Confronting MMIR and Human Trafficking in the Fire Service

 

In this episode of Tailboard Talk, fire service leaders tackle the urgent crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) alongside the complex realities of human trafficking. Monte Frank, a firefighter and emergency manager, shares the deeply personal story of his daughter’s tragic fate, underscoring the epidemic’s devastating reach. Joined by Jacob Dickman of the Chicago Fire Department, they highlight groundbreaking training efforts underway to equip firefighters and EMS personnel in urban and tribal communities with the necessary tools for identifying and assisting. The discussion reveals how culturally informed education, partnerships with tribal organizations, and specialized resources are transforming first responders into critical advocates.