Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Monson.
Hi Mark, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hi, I’m Mark Monson, inventor and owner of UnderGuardian™. I have been a firefighter for 26 years, 20 as a volunteer and 20 years as a career firefighter, currently a Captain and Paramedic in St. Paul, Minnesota. Throughout the years, I have seen many of my fellow firefighters battle cancer. Most commonly, testicular, bladder, colon and stomach cancers. Rather than accepting this as a risk of the job, I was starting to wonder if there was more I could do. I extensively researched the risks of what firefighters face everyday, including our bodies working in hazardous environments. I learned that not only do we need to protect our airways but protecting our skin is also essential.
Firefighting is a dangerous profession, and a growing body of research and data shows the contributions that job-related exposures have in chronic illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently undertook two large studies focused on firefighter cancer and concluded that firefighters face a 9 percent increase in cancer diagnoses, and a 14 percent increase in cancer-related deaths, compared to the general population in the U.S.
To reduce these numbers I studied the problem; I identified a solution; I then created and designed a clothing line. I’ve independently tested the clothing to prove the manufacturer’s claims. My line of clothing is comfortable, durable, affordable, safe and will block 98% of particulates .10 micron or greater before being absorbed through our skin. My hope is that someday every firefighter in America will be wearing my “Made in USA” UnderGuardian™
I have never been a clothing designer or manufacturer. I had an idea and wanted to follow through. My goal is to reduce FF cancer.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Having never been a clothing designer or manufacturer I started from ground zero and had to learn. I found and hired a designer in St. Paul and a Manufacture in MPLS. Then I had to find a way to introduce my product to market. I had to learn how to fulfill orders and ship.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Like: I have lived in the Twin Cites for 57 years. Born In MPLS, raised in St. Louis Park, raised my own family in Savage, Volunteered in Savage as a FF for 20 years and currently work in St. Paul. All of my family lives in the area and will die in the cities.
We have the best of all 4 seasons, I love being part of a neighborhood and making connections. I have many life long friends that I’ve met while living and working in the cities.
I Love the MN Twins, Vikings and have jumped on the Wild bandwagon.
Dislike:
MN, Mpls and St Paul. Politics. I see too much money being spent on “feel good” projects and not enough spent on basic services like public safety and infrastructure.
Contact Info:
- Email: mmonson@underguardian.com
- Website: www.underguardian.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.m.7568
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/_UnderGuardian_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrF-_zjOgy4
- Other: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/fire-fighter-ppe
