Tom Davis Pledges to Protect the Protectors

March 12, 2007 – “Your union understands that to be successful in Washington, you need to work both sides of the aisle,” said Representative Tom Davis (R-VA) in his remarks to the more than 900 delegates at the 2007 Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference.

Davis praised IAFF members for their commitment to protecting their country and communities. “Your profession holds an honored, mythical place in our national culture,” he noted. “You stand together to protect us from natural and manmade disasters.”

But, he continued, as fire fighters are increasingly the first line of defense in new array of threats to life and property, the federal government is not providing first responders with the resources needed to do this. Citing the failed federal response to Hurricane Katrina, Davis maintained that without the seamless sharing of information, multi-jurisdictional response, fire fighters are nothing more than “unwitting canaries in the coal mine in the line of defense.”

He continued, “We owe it to you to prepare you to respond. It’s only fair that Washington help you perform these missions.”

In closing Davis assured delegates, “You have friends on our side of the aisle. The needs of fire fighters are high on the list of our priorities.” He encouraged IAFF members to invite their congressional representatives into their firehouses to build a bond and help them understand the needs of fire fighters.

“The IAFF is a widely respected union,” he noted. “We want to work with you to make it the most successful legislative year ever.”