NJ Firefighters Back Lance

            WESTFIELD, N.J. — Congressman Leonard Lance has been endorsed by the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, IAFF, AFL-CIO for this record of delivering on firefighter priorities in Congress and securing millions of dollars in federal grants for fire companies across the Seventh District of New Jersey.

“I am impressed continually at the work firefighters, emergency medical teams and first responders do every day.  It takes an extraordinary person to run into danger when others are running out.  Their legislative priorities are my priorities and I will continue to fight for them in a new term,” said Lance, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.

The Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, IAFF, AFL-CIO is the statewide representative of career professional firefighters, emergency medical and allied support services personnel affiliated with the 310,000 member International Association of Fire Fighters.

Don Marino, President of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey said, “In this point in our Country’s history, we need members of Congress, the NJ Senate and NJ General Assembly who have the same values as the working men and women in our great Country.  Our membership consists of dedicated public safety professionals, hardworking taxpayers supporting families who cherish and exercise their right to vote-something too many aspiring politicians forget or purposely disregard when considering the value of our support.”

Lance led a bipartisan effort to renew aid to 9/11 first responders and survivors.  Lance championed reauthorizing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to provide medical treatment and compensation to first responders, rescue workers and survivors who have been sickened or injured at Ground Zero, the Pentagon and Shanksville.  The measure was successfully signed into law, providing over 70,000 first responders or survivors medical treatment through the World Trade Center Health Program.

Lance has championed local issues for New Jersey firefighters including securing over 2.5 million dollars in FEMA emergency management funding for local fire departments and voting for millions more in disaster aid and preparedness measures.

“Having the right people in Congress and in Trenton is paramount for firefighters and emergency medical personnel to ensure safe working conditions and the necessary equipment to safely perform the duties of fire responders. With the threat of terrorist activity in New Jersey and the metropolitan area becoming more prevalent than ever, we need legislators that will respond to our needs. We believe our endorsed candidates will respond for the first responders and the citizens of New Jersey,” Marino continued.

The Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, IAFF, AFL-CIO is not the first labor union to endorse Lance.  Lance has been endorsed by the New Jersey Police Benevolent, New Jersey Building and Construction Trades and International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825.