WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance said during remarks at the IAFF’s Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference that the Trump administration remains committed to supporting firefighters.
During his speech on March 9, Vance also pointed to recent legislative wins affecting union members, their families and their communities.
IAFF General President Edward Kelly said the union’s recent legislative wins would not have been possible without White House support.
Vance was the second sitting vice president in recent years to address the conference, which brings firefighters from across the country to Washington to advocate for public safety policy, the IAFF said in a press release.
“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,” Kelly said. “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.”
Vance told those in attendance that President Donald Trump urged Republicans to support the Social Security Fairness Act after the 2024 election. The measure restoring Social Security benefits for retired firefighters and other public servants passed on the final day of the 118th Congress.
“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,” Vance said.
As a senator, Vance supported reauthorization of the AFG and SAFER grant programs and highlighted legislation addressing firefighter exposure to toxic chemicals, including the Railway Safety Act introduced after the 2023 East Palestine derailment.
“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?” Vance said. “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 closed by praising firefighters and EMS personnel for their daily service and said the federal government has a responsibility to support them.
“What is the work of all of you as firefighters and EMTs if it’s not to ensure that every kid has an opportunity to live in safety and security,” he said. “You do your part every day. That means we need to honor your service by doing our part here in Washington, D.C.”
