More than 150 members of the Florida Professional Firefighters gathered in Orlando Tuesday to announce their endorsement of Gov. Ron DeSantis for re-election.
The FPF Executive Board and delegates at the FPF’s 78th Annual Convention voted unanimously to endorse and support DeSantis’ campaign for Governor. The FPF represents more than 26,000 professional fire fighters and emergency medical services personnel across the state.
“Gov. DeSantis’ steadfast leadership and support of Florida’s fire fighters and paramedics has earned the respect of our members and the Florida Professional Firefighters looks forward to working together in his next term,” said FPF President Wayne Bernoska.
“Florida’s fire fighters are on the front lines of protecting our communities, putting their lives on the line for their neighbors in need,” DeSantis said at the event. “Their sacrifices make our state a safer place, and we are deeply grateful for their support. I will always have their backs, and I will never stop fighting for Florida’s brave fire fighters.”
DeSantis has advocated for and signed into law numerous fire fighter initiatives, including fire fighter cancer coverage, enhanced PTSD benefits, and improvements to the fire fighters bill of rights.
IAFF General President Ed Kelly and 12th District Vice President Walt Dix also attended the announcement.
“The cancer legislation Gov. DeSantis signed was a strong victory for Florida’s fire fighters, providing our members essential benefits as they face a dangerous occupational hazard in their service to the public,” said Dix.
DeSantis has also supported funding for fire fighter cancer research, $1,000 bonuses for fire fighters, paramedics and first responders, and $10 million in funding for USAR and Technical Rescue teams.
“Our loyalty as fire fighters is to each other and our families. Any elected official who is going to help us work as safely as possible in this inherently dangerous job, and take care of our loved ones, earns that same loyalty,” said Kelly. “Gov. DeSantis has done just that in Florida. The 329,000 members of the IAFF don’t support Republicans or Democrats; we support those that support us.”
