WYCKOFF NJ — Congressman Josh Gottheimer received the endorsement of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ), which represents more than half of New Jersey’s approximately 6,000 professional firefighters and more than 500 EMS professionals.

Gottheimer’s record of commonsense leadership and strong bipartisan record of partnering with first responders, towns, and mayors to ensure North Jersey’s firefighters have the resources they need to protect themselves and our communities helped him earn the support of PFANJ. 

“When I first ran for Congress, I promised to fight to ensure that our firefighters and all our first responders had the training, resources, and support they needed to protect themselves and their communities. Since being sworn in, I’ve worked every day to fulfill that promise and support those who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer. “I am thrilled to report that, through working with local fire departments, police departments, and towns to apply for and win federal grants, we’ve clawed back more than $6.9 million in Assistance to Firefighters Grants. But the work is not done.” 

Gottheimer continued, “As I said from moment one, we must always get the backs of our first responders. It is an enormous honor to have the support of Jersey’s bravest, the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey. I will work to continue the fight for Jersey firefighters and Jersey families.” 

Gottheimer’s work to support North Jersey’s first responders and their families includes the following:

  • Gottheimer was an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, which was signed into law. Gottheimer also voted to increase investment in the Firefighter Cancer Registry, and urge the CDC to maximize firefighter participation. 
  • Gottheimer was an original cosponsor of the Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act to provide veteran firefighters with the fair compensation, healthcare, and retirement benefits they’ve earned through their service.
  • Gottheimer fought for the bipartisan Never Forget the Heroes Act, which became law, to permanently authorize the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Gottheimer was an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation and the Problem Solvers Caucus, Co-Chaired by Gottheimer, endorsed the bill and called for swift floor passage with bipartisan support.
  • Gottheimer helped pass the bipartisan Federal Firefighters Fair Act through the House of Representatives — legislation he cosponsored — guaranteeing our firefighters have access to critical disability and retirement benefits they deserve after putting their lives on the line for us.
  • Gottheimer helped claw a $10 million federal investment back from Washington to New Jersey firefighters through the new American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant Program. The program provides investments to local and regional fire departments in New Jersey to purchase equipment including oxygen packs, PPE, protective clothing and turnout gear, and cleaning and sanitizing equipment. 
  • Since 2016, Gottheimer has helped claw back $6.9 million dollars to the Fifth District in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) for life-saving firefighting equipment. These are dollars that go to protecting our security for New Jersey, to help lower property taxes, instead of going to Moocher States.