Firefighters hear renewed federal backing
Vice President JD Vance told firefighters in Washington, D.C., that the Trump administration will continue to support fire service priorities raised at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference.
The IAFF said Vance used the address to point to recent federal action on Social Security and line-of-duty death recognition linked to occupational cancer.
Vance told attendees: “There is no group of people that is harder working and more important for our communities than our fire fighters.”
General President Edward Kelly said federal backing had helped secure measures supported by the organisation and its members.
Kelly said: “When the passage of the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act was in jeopardy this winter, the White House made it clear that they would stand with the families of our fallen.
“And they went to work.
“The White House removed every stumbling block that was put in our way.
“Occupational cancer is now recognized as a line-of-duty death.
“And federal death and education benefits are given to the families of our fallen because of the Trump-Vance administration’s steadfast support.”
The conference brings together fire fighters from across the United States to meet lawmakers and advocate for federal policies affecting public safety and emergency services.
Vance became the second sitting U.S. vice president in recent years to address the event.
Firefighters in focus across benefits, grants and health risks
The IAFF said Vance also referred to the Social Security Fairness Act, which restored Social Security benefits to retired fire fighters and other public servants.
He said President Donald Trump had pushed congressional Republicans to stay focused on the legislation after the 2024 election, and he noted that the bill passed on the final day of the 118th Congress.
Vance said: “One of the reasons why that happened … is because the President of the United States made sure that congressional Republicans stayed on top of that legislation and we worked to get it done.”
He also referred to federal support for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants, which help departments hire personnel and purchase equipment used in emergency response.
On firefighter health risks, Vance pointed to his support for the Railway Safety Act following the 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
He said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is working to better understand the health effects of toxic chemical exposure on fire fighters.
Vance said: “We want you all to know if, God forbid, you run into harm’s way, what are the consequences going to be to you over the long haul?
“And, importantly, what are the kinds of medical treatments that you’re going to need if you’re in that situation so that the sacrifice you make doesn’t become more than it has to be.”
Vance also shared a childhood memory of fire fighters responding to an emergency involving his mother in Middletown, Ohio, during her struggle with opioid addiction.
Vance said: “I picked up the phone, and a number of brave, professional, compassionate fire fighters from Middletown, Ohio, showed up.
“They made a kid who was scared to death feel like he had an ally in this world.
“And I will never forget that.”
He closed by linking the work of fire fighters and EMTs to community safety and said Washington should honour that service through its own actions.