WASHINGTON, D.C. - On March 4, 2024, Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez (FL-28) delivered remarks at the International Association of Fire Fighters’ (IAFF) annual legislative conference. In his remarks, Rep. Gimenez focused on the need to boost federal funds for local fire departments to address staffing shortages, purchase new equipment and enhance training and the need to repeal onerous provisions that reduce social security benefits for first responders. 

Rep. Gimenez is the first career firefighter paramedic elected to Congress, having served the City of Miami Fire Department for 25 years, including as the first Hispanic and Cuban-American Fire Chief. 

“It was an honor to speak before the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF),” said Rep. Gimenez. “As a retired IAFF member and former Fire Chief of the City of Miami, I know firsthand the incredible dedication and sacrifice firefighters make everyday to keep our communities safe. As we continue to work to address the challenges ahead, I am proud to be a champion for firefighters in Congress. While I may be the first career firefighter elected to Congress, I certainly do not want to be the last!”

Specifically, Rep. Gimenez urged for the reauthorization and increase in funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) so departments can purchase equipment, enhance training, and other departmental needs and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) to address staffing shortages. 

Additionally, Rep. Gimenez urged for the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which penalize public servants, such as firefighters, police officers, and teachers with a reduction in social security benefits. 

See below for a transcript of Rep. Gimenez’s remarks, as prepared for delivery:

Now, as a member of congress, the very first career firefighter to ever serve in the house of representatives, I understand firsthand the challenges and sacrifices that come with the job. We must stare danger in the face every day, battle ferocious blazes, and rescue people from precarious situations.

As firefighters, you are not only first responders but also guardians of public safety. You educate the public on fire safety measures, conduct inspections, and enforce codes, and provide invaluable support during emergencies.

Your expertise is paramount to ensuring the well-being of our communities.

As president Ronald Reagan - the greatest president of my lifetime - once said, “Even Presidents have to listen to the Fire Marshal!

I was proud to work in a bipartisan manner with rep. Bill Pascrell to introduce the honoring our fallen heroes act.

As you all know, this bill opens the public safety officers benefit program to the families of firefighters and other first responders who passed away or are disabled from cancers caused by exposure during their service.

Many families of first responders rely on this benefit and it is just a fraction of what we can do to pay them back for their sacrifice to our public safety.

 We go above and beyond the call of duty to protect our communities and they deserve to have access to the care they rightfully deserve.

 As a retired IAFF member, Fire Chief, and mayor of Miami-Dade County, I know firsthand the need to boost federal funds for local fire departments to address staffing shortages, purchase new equipment, and improve training and emergency services.

In the past both Monroe County and Miami-Dade County have benefited immensely from such initiatives. 

I was proud to work on this effort last congress with my colleague rep. Golden of Maine, as the republican lead to the fire grants and safety act.

In congress, it is our responsibility to support you as you make every effort to keep communities in south Florida, and across our great nation, safe.

This is why I believe we must reauthorize and increase funding for the assistance to firefighters grants (AFG) and staffing for adequate fire and emergency response (safer) programs.

Another pressing issue that demands our attention is the need to repeal the windfall elimination provision (WEP) and government pension offset (GPO).

 For too long public servants have faced reduced, or even eliminated, social security benefits due to this outdated policy.

These provisions unfairly penalize public servants, such as firefighters, police officers, and teachers who dedicated their career to serving their community.

I and over 300 of my colleagues co-sponsored H.R. 82, the social security fairness act. It is my hope that we can get this important policy over the finish line and finally repeal WEP and GPO to ensure our hardworking public servants are no longer penalized and denied the money they rightfully deserve.

We cannot turn a blind eye to the financial challenges faced by our retired firefighters. I will continue to push to make sure the brave men and women who spent their lives protecting the public receive the social security benefits they earned.

 In addition to addressing the immediate challenges you face, we must also look to the future and invest in programs that prevent fire prevention and bolster public safety education.

By equipping the public with the knowledge they need to prevent fires, we can save lives and reduce the strain on our fire departments.

Once again, I want to express my sincere gratitude to each and every firefighter for your unwavering dedication to service, and for giving me this opportunity to speak.

As we continue to work to address the challenges ahead, know that you have a champion in me. While I may be the first firefighter ever elected to congress, I certainly do not want to be the last.

Thank you, and may God bless you all, your families, and the United States of America.