GOTTHEIMER RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY

Federal Investment to Fifth District Firefighters Up $5.2 Million Since 2016 — to Help Fight Fires, Keep North Jersey Safe

WYCKOFF, N.J. — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer was endorsed for reelection by the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ), the State Association of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). PFANJ represents more than 3,500 active firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers across the state of New Jersey. During the event, Gottheimer was joined by Steve McConlogue, PFANJ President, Anthony Tarantino, PFANJ First Vice President, and John Murphy, PFANJ Second Vice President, who all touted Gottheimer’s leadership and support of firefighters and first responders.

During his tenure in Congress, Gottheimer has fought tirelessly to increase investment and claw back resources to North Jersey to help protect first responders and our communities. Since Gottheimer took office, the Fifth District has clawed back more than $5.2 million in Assistance to Firefighters Grants, dollars that go to improve safety and security for New Jersey instead of going to Moocher States.

“When I first ran for Congress, I promised to fight to ensure that our firefighters and all our first responders had the training, resources, and support they needed to protect themselves and their communities. Since being sworn in, I’ve worked every day to fulfill that promise and to support those who put their lives on the line to keep us safe. I am thrilled to report that, through working with local fire departments, police departments, and towns to apply for and win federal investment, we’ve clawed back more than $5.2 million of our federal tax dollars in Assistance to Firefighters Grants while I’ve been in office. But the work’s not done. I am honored to have the support of the PFANJ as I work to continue the fight for Jersey firefighters and Jersey families,” said Congressman Gottheimer. 

“The PFANJ and the IAFF are proud to support those who support us, and Josh has been standing with us every step of the way. We never stop fighting for our members’ safety, benefits, retirement, healthcare, and the necessary equipment to do the job, and we know we can go to Josh to hear our issues and help lead that fight in Washington. His work on the bipartisan Congressional Fire Services Caucus speaks for itself. Josh was instrumental in bringing much needed grant money back to New Jersey by way of SAFER and AFG grants, which has had a significant impact on the departments that serve the Fifth District. Additionally, he has stepped up to protect 9/11 first responders by supporting and advocating for the permanent reauthorization of the Victims Compensation Fund,” said PFANJ President Steve McConlogue.

In Congress, Gottheimer serves as a proud member of the bipartisan Congressional Fire Services Caucus. Gottheimer cosponsored the bipartisan Firefighter Cancer Registry Act and helped pass the bill into law to create a national CDC cancer registry to study and monitor the relationship between exposure to dangerous fumes and toxins and the incidence of cancer in firefighters. He also fought to pass the bipartisan Never Forget the Heroes 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Act to provide long-overdue support for 9/11 survivors and first responders, which was signed into law this Congress. Gottheimer also successfully fought to repeal the “Cadillac Tax,” which threatened the healthcare of firefighters and others in high-risk professions.

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First elected in 2016, Congressman Josh Gottheimer proudly represents New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes 79 towns in Bergen, Passaic, Sussex and Warren Counties. By bringing people together, fighting for lower taxes and affordable health care, and standing up for Jersey Values, Josh is getting things done for our families and our country.