Why do firefighters get involved in Local, State, and National Politics? You may know that during an election year/political campaign, candidates will attempt to form an inside connection with voters/voting groups, and tell the voters what they want to hear. For obvious reasons, this rhetoric cannot be trusted as fact to determine which candidate to endorsement unless the candidate has done in the past what he or she is promising to do if elected. As a Firefighter Association, our support and endorsement must reflect the candidate’s past voting record regarding issues that affect firefighters and the communities we serve; for example: safety, training, resource management and allocation, and a proven commitment to help us better serve our citizens. As firefighters, we chose this profession because inside each of us resides a passion to help people. To that end, we are dedicated to the safety and constant improvement of our community, our service, and ourselves. Furthermore, we attempt to align ourselves with candidates who share our passion, not just in verse, but also in deed. We endorse candidates who have proven this by their actions and not simply voiced it when asking for our vote or endorsement. We truly connect with you, the voters, because you are the same citizens we serve. We feel that a big part of doing the best job we can for you is to help you find elected officials who do the best job possible managing the resources that you provide for our services. This helps us maintain safer communities for you.
Our National Politics:
The International Association of Fire Fighters endorses political candidates based on the candidate's past voting record of support regarding issues that affect firefighters and the communities they serve. This support includes sponsoring/supporting legislation to improve the safety, well being, and improvement of the American/Canadian firefighter.
Our State Politics:
The Florida Professional Firefighters endorse political candidates based on the candidate's past voting record of support regarding issues that affect firefighters and the community they serve. This support includes sponsoring/supporting legislation to improve the safety, well being, and improvement of firefighters throughout Florida.
Our Local Politics:
The South Walton Professional Firefighters Association is comprised of highly trained professional firefighters, EMTs, Paramedics, Rescue Technicians, and Dispatchers. We are the men and women who arrive in fire trucks and ambulances and help you resolve your emergencies. Who in our community knows more about what is needed to provide a prompt, competent, and caring response in your time of need than the very firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and dispatchers who respond and mitigate your emergencies? Our local politics follow a similar paradigm in that we endorse candidates who have proven their support of these ideals throughout their term, and not just talked about it during their campaign.
Thank you for your interest in this important subject.
As for the signs; We are actively seeking more efficient (and more beautiful) means of participating in candidate support. Ideas are welcome.
South Walton Professional Firefighters Assoc.
