SPRING
2025
VOTER GUIDE
Vote YES on Adequate Funding for Firefighters
A common reason why voters feel disenfranchised is because, once the election is over, they don’t have a say in day-to-day state operations.
But in reality, in most States across the country, we do! Whenever funding measures appear on the local ballot, we can bring a sizable influx of cash for the services that fall closer to our hearts.
In emergency services, proper funding directly translates to capability – to better staff their local station, invest in more training, recruit the best people in the area, and provide them with high-quality safety gear.
At the local level, ballot measures are often one of the most direct ways you nudge your leaders toward prioritizing fire departments. But it’s on us as voters to understand what each funding measure provides and how the funds will be used before casting our votes.
By voting yes on fire department funding measures, you can help your community keep effective emergency services. Ensure you stay informed on your local department’s current needs and challenges, and evaluate each measure carefully. Review the details, talk to a friend in the fire department, and ask your local council to clarify.
Support Initiatives to Address the National EMS Shortage
There are very few moments in life where the minutes feel as long as the ones between the moment we dial “911” and when help finally arrives at the door. Across the country, emergency departments continuously struggle to keep their response times as short as possible and to reach every incident in time.
Now, there are a lot of reasons that can delay an ambulance – from traffic to weather events or even the local infrastructure. However, when we see long response times one crucial variable is more than likely a contributing factor: insufficient staffing. We simply don’t train enough EMS technicians to staff all the positions we need – and, especially in small towns, local governments don’t hire enough people to provide round-the-clock coverage.
Fixing the national EMS shortage will require both long and short-term strategies. They may involve affordable training opportunities, recruitment drives, competitive pay scales, and more empathetic retention strategies for the existing workers.
Your support can help create new EMS positions, establish training partnerships with local colleges, and implement programs to retain experienced personnel. If you see any on your Spring ballot, select “YES”!
Elect Politicians Who Support Better Benefits and PPE for First Responders
First Responders routinely place themselves between us and direct danger in a very physical and literal way. As a society, we have the responsibility to ensure they can face these hazards in the best possible conditions – with quality, well-maintained gear – and that if something happens, their families won’t suffer to afford medical care.
To provide this, we need local and national Representatives that are deeply committed to protecting first responders.
Before election day, we should look at each candidate’s positions on issues such as worker’s compensation for firefighters, funding for PPE, and increased health coverage for on-the-job injuries. Investigate their voting history for benefits packages and their track record whenever safety gear purchases need to be approved. Find out their stance on presumptive coverage and note how they voted whenever these initiatives were discussed.
At the state and national level, we also need people in Congress who will advocate for stricter quality standards for PPE manufacturers. While this may be a fight for a different year, the same principle will apply: look for action rather than general statements!
Vote for Experienced Fire Commission Candidates
Leadership requires many different skills – from empathy to resource management and personal organization. But when it comes to leading a fire department, no MBA can replace the effect of practical experience as a firefighter. This teaches a manager how a Fire Department runs, what supplies they need, and the issues that frighten its workers.
The local Fire Commission’s decision will ultimately affect training requirements, operational procedures, and resource allocation. It is imperative to ensure these positions are filled with upright, capable, and experienced candidates who have a real understanding of what a fire service needs.
By helping put the right people in charge, you can create safer fire stations in your community – where first responders can remain motivated, response times stay as short as possible, and all workers have the tools to perform the work they’ve trained for.
Firefighters Support YOU Daily;
Support THEM at the Polls!
Ready to get started? Find out how, where, and when to vote. Find voter registration options in your state. Then, learn more about what will be at stake during the upcoming elections. Visit your state’s election office website for state-wide voting guidance.
