Schaitberger, New Hampshire Fire Fighters Stump for Shaheen

September 19, 2008 – The Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire (PFFNH), with support from the IAFF, kicked off its campaign for former New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen at a rally in Manchester, New Hampshire. IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger, Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire President Dave Lang and 150 fire fighters participated in the event held at Manchester Local 856’s Somerville Street Fire Station/Engine 7.

General President Schaitberger told the crowd that the reason Shaheen had earned the IAFF’s gold and black was simple: The IAFF and the PFFNH “understand that the political process affects our members’ jobs, their standard of living, their safety, their training and equipment and your community’s safety.”

He continued, “In the election for United States Senate, here in New Hampshire, Jeanne Shaheen is the candidate in this race who has and will continue to fight for fire fighters and American workers.”

As governor, Shaheen was an unwavering supporter of New Hampshire’s fire fighters. She secured funding for terrorism training for more than 1,000 fire fighters, paramedics and HazMat teams, fought HMOs so citizens did not have to get pre-approval to call 9-1-1 in an emergency, and provided health coverage for the spouse and dependents of IAFF members killed in the line of duty.

Because she has been there for the fire fighters, the members of the PFFNH unanimously endorsed Shaheen at its May Convention. The IAFF also approved FIREPAC dollars for Shaheen’s campaign.

“Jeanne Shaheen has been as loyal to us as fire fighters and paramedics are to each other,” says Dave Lang, president of the PFFNH. “The Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire are fired up and ready to go. We are committed to securing a victory for Shaheen.”

After the Manchester rally, Schaitberger and Lang joined Shaheen for a fire fighter-sponsored chili event at the Old Salt Restaurant in Hampton, New Hampshire. The restaurant is housed in Lamie’s Inn -- a political hotspot.

“The kick-off events were a huge success, which didn’t go unnoticed by the area media,” reports Lang. “We did about 15 interviews for newspapers and radio and television stations.”

The PFFNH will keep the buzz going through a series of chili events, fire station tours, phone calls and other campaign strategies.