Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona, Representing Over 9,000 Fire Fighters, Endorse Katie Hobbs

PHOENIX – Today, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced the endorsement of the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona (PFFA), representing more than 9,000 first responders statewide. Their endorsement reflects Katie Hobbs’ record of putting partisanship aside to deliver for Arizona’s fire fighters — including defending their labor and bargaining rights, strengthening cancer protections and benefits for first responders and their families, and expanding firefighting resources.

“Arizona’s fire fighters put their lives on the line every single day, and Gov. Hobbs has consistently had our backs,” said PFFA President Dan Freiberg. “She’s expanded resources for our departments, which has helped us respond to residents’ emergencies as quickly as possible. She’s fought to protect firefighters from occupational cancer and to ensure that the families of fallen heroes get the benefits they deserve. Arizona fire fighters don’t forget who shows up for us, which is why we are proud to stand with Governor Hobbs.”

“I’m proud to have the support of the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona,” said Katie Hobbs. “Arizona’s fire fighters put everything on the line to keep our communities safe, and they deserve a governor who stands with them. That’s why I’ve fought to secure wildfire suppression funding, strengthen resources for fire fighters, protect their labor rights, and expand cancer protections and benefits for those who risk everything in the line of duty. As governor, I’ll always stand with the fire fighters who serve and protect communities across our state.”

Gov. Katie Hobbs looks forward to continuing to work with the PFFA on fire fighter retirement security, long-term funding efforts for Fire Districts, protecting bargaining rights, and ensuring Arizona communities have the resources necessary to provide effective fire and emergency services. Since taking office, she has made protecting Arizona’s first responders a priority of her administration:

• Defended the labor and bargaining rights of fire fighters and police officers by publicly opposing HCR 2040/Prop 143 and supporting a bipartisan agreement to remove the measure from the ballot.
• Expanded access to firefighting resources by signing HB 2751, giving Arizona access to a larger pool of firefighting equipment and personnel to help combat the state’s growing wildfire threat.
• Strengthened occupational cancer protections by signing legislation expanding cancer insurance benefits for retired first responders, helping fire fighters continue accessing coverage after retirement.
• Secured $4 million for rural fire districts to strengthen fire protection and emergency response in communities across Arizona.
• Reduced fire fighters’ exposure to PFAS chemicals by signing legislation to further reduce exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.
• Secured millions of dollars for wildfire suppression efforts to give fire departments the resources they need to respond to longer and more dangerous fire seasons.
• Expanded mental health support for public safety personnel by extending the Craig Tiger Act, helping fire fighters and other first responders access mental health treatment.
• Increased line-of-duty death benefits for first responders by signing legislation providing additional state benefits to the families of first responders killed in the line of duty.