The New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters announce their endorsement of Congressman Tom Udall for United States Senate.  Throughout Tom Udall’s career serving the New Mexican community, the importance of public safety has been a major interest. He has worked hard to build programs which help us better serve the public. He knows that a healthy fire and EMS response means healthier New Mexicans. Fire assistance programs are always supported by Tom and his sponsorship and co-sponsorship of many of our federal initiatives speak to this. He works tirelessly for the fire fighters on the US Congressional Fire Fighter Caucus, lobbying to increase, not cut funding for SAFER and the Fire Act, two programs with a great record of helping fire departments get needed safety equipment and staffing. Congressman Udall looks out for the interests of fire fighters everywhere. This is evident by his actions as well as his words. On fire fighter safety he has cosponsored the Fire Fighter Fairness Act protecting Federal Fire Fighters health by providing them with presumptive laws.

On Thursday June 19, the fire fighter members of the NMPFFA met and discussed our endorsement for the United States Senate.  Members from Farmington, Carlsbad, Santa Fe, Deming, Silver City, Los Alamos, Espanola, Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, Sandoval County and Las Vegas, New Mexico all agreed that Tom Udall is a terrific candidate and very deserving of our unanimous approval and endorsement in the general election.

The fire fighters commit to working hard for Congressman Udall, discussing with our neighbors and our friends how he has consistently stood with us on every issue. We pledge to stand with him now as he goes forward to bring to New Mexicans another chapter in his life of public service. He will make the very best United States Senator and we’re proud to say “Fire Fighters for Tom Udall”  Good luck, Tom!

On February 21st the New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters came out with an official endorsement for PRC Chairman Ben Ray Lujan. Currently serving on the Public Regulation Commission, Ben Lujan is hopeful of becoming the Democratic candidate for 3rd Congressional District in the US Congress. This is the position in which Tom Udall has served for the past 12 years. Ben R. Lujan has helped fire fighters during his time at the PRC by creating the Fire Fighters Grant Council and securing the remaining Fire Funds for this new program. He has pledged his continued support for the fire fighting community including assisting us with Presumptive Disability legislation. He has alot of knowledge and experience with health care and the state's health insurance programs. Commissioner Lujan is committed to improving Retiree Healthcare and bringing his ideas to Washington DC.

The Albuquerque Area Fire fighters are proud to endorse longtime city councilor Martin Heinrich for the 1st Congressional District, United States House of Representatives. The fire fighters hacve confidence that the ex-city councilor will listen to their issues and support their needs in Washington DC as he has done in Albuquerque. Mr Heinrich is working hard to win the Democratic primary in June. The election will be held this November 2008.

The Carlsbad Fire Fighters of Local 1687 are happy to announce that they are finally getting the raises promised over four years ago. The City Council recently ratified the new contract after a long process involving arbitration and a judges decision. Every step of the way the fire fighters and their Local leadership had to struggle, but the result was well worth it. Now they know the power of standing together and working for the common good. "Without the support of the NMPFFA & the IAFF, we wouldn't have been able to persevere to victory" said Union President Robert Sanchez. But in reality the members are due the credit for this tremendous acomplishment, because they stayed the course and rallied the community in their support. "when the people you serve are behind you, there is nothing you cannot do." states NMPFFA President Emily Kane. For the newspaper article please check out the attached link.