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Steve’s Story
The Minneapolis Fire Foundation was founded by Steve Shapira, a retired Captain from the St. Paul Fire Department. Steve had was forced into retirement in 2015 with a cancer diagnosis after over 17 years on the job.
During his public safety career, Steve identified budgetary gaps and the need for public-private partnerships to supplement an already stretched think budget for the St. Paul Fire Department. In 2009 he formed the St. Paul Fire Foundation (501C3) to meet those budgetary challenges. The St. Paul Fire Foundation currently being run by Steve’s wife Cristine and their success stories and accomplishments can be viewed on their website at: https://stpaulfirefoundation.org/.
Steve’s post SPFD career led him to education within the Fire & EMS world and Century College in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. After teaching firefighter health, wellness, and cancer prevention from 2014- 2016, Steve landed the role of Fire & EMS Program Manager in May of 2017. It is from there where developed a working relationship with the Minneapolis Fire Department and particularly the Training Division. With the help of then Training Chief JR Klepp, Steve was able to provide training for the MFD Fire Cadet Academy, along with educational classes that served as benchmarks for eligibility for departmental promotion to the ranks of Fire Motor Operator (FMO), Captain, and Battalion Chief. It was during this close relationship with the Minneapolis Fire Department that the idea of a new foundation for Minneapolis was discussed. After numerous meetings over the course of 18 months with Fire Chief Bryan Tyner and Local 82 President Mark Lakosky, it was agreed to move forward and start the process of forming a foundation for MFD. During this 18-month process, Steve retired from Century College and soon there after the Minneapolis Fire Foundation (501C3) was formed in November of 2023.
Tiffany and Chuck’s Story
Tiffany Brynteson established the F.I.R.E. (Firefighter Inspired Recovery Endowment) Cancer Foundation in honor of her late husband, Charles Brynteson, who served the Minneapolis Fire Department for 24 years. Charles was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in January 2017 and underwent chemotherapy for four months while determined to continue working. In May of that year, he underwent a grueling 7-hour Whipple Surgery to remove the pancreatic tumor and reconstruct his abdominal bile ducts and pathways. Despite complications and multiple hospitalizations, Charles passed away on April 22, 2018, at the age of 48.
His passing deeply impacted Tiffany and their three young daughters, who were ages 4, 5, and 11 at the time, witnessing his courageous battle. The loss of a parent at such a young age left a lasting mark on them. They are committed to supporting firefighters facing cancer in the future.
The foundation’s mission is to aid firefighters in Minnesota diagnosed with cancer in the line of duty. The Brynteson family, having experienced the challenges of Chuck’s illness and passing, aims to alleviate the financial burdens of affected fire families and provide opportunities for them to create cherished memories during difficult times.