Tom Udall speaking at an endorsement by the IAFF. Photo by Matthew Reichbach

Tom Udall speaking at an endorsement by the IAFF. Photo by Matthew Reichbach

ALBUQUERQUE — Tom Udall, a U.S. Senate candidate, and Martin Heinrich, a candidate for U.S. representative in New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, were the centers of attention at a news conference hosted by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF). The firefighters union brought in their general president, Harold Schaitberger, to introduce the candidates to a crowd of dozens of firefighters with yellow “Firefighters for Udall” or “Firefighters for Heinrich” T-shirts.

“Our country’s been heading in the wrong direction in many ways in the last eight years,” Schaitberger said at the rally at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

The firefighters praised Udall and Heinrich both for work on behalf of firefighters and other first responders. The two candidates expressed their gratitude for the work that the firefighters have done and promised to help the firefighters with issues important to them.

“In the next Congress, we need to continue to fight for passage of vital legislation that will make a real difference,” Udall said. He said legislation needs to be passed to protect collective bargaining rights, to ensure the health of firefighters and to make sure grants that have brought in more than $22 million to New Mexico firefighters stay fully funded.

Heinrich advocated higher salaries and better technology for firefighters in his speech.

“No first responder, no firefighter should ever be in danger because their equipment doesn’t work, because their radio doesn’t work,” Heinrich told the crowd. “And no one who wants to be a firefighter should ever have to choose a different career path because the salary won’t be enough to provide for their families.

“We’ve made some progress in that area,” he continued, “and we need to make a lot more.”

The safety issue was a common theme among all of the speakers, included Local 244 President Diego Arencón. Arencón told the crowd, “If we do not have safe firefighters, we will not have safe citizens.”

Many Democratic candidates and elected officials were in attendance as well, including Albuquerque City Councilors Debbie O’Malley, Ken Sanchez and Rey Garduño.

Udall said by standing with firefighters at such an event, one must take on the responsibility of providing for the needs of the firefighters.

“I pledge here today, that in the United States Senate, I will stand proudly and resolutely side-by-side with you again,” Udall promised the crowd. “Just from a different side of the Capitol.”

“Our fire and police departments are not luxuries,” Heinrich told the crowd. “We need to fund them accordingly. We need to respect them accordingly.”

There was a moment of comedy during the event. While Schaitberger was speaking, the chair that Heinrich was sitting in nearly fell offstage, with Heinrich in it, while Schaitberger was praising Arencón. Arencón caught Heinrich and joked, “I just saved his life!”

“Another great example of the service of the IAFF,” Schaitberger joked while the crowd laughed and clapped.