WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vice President Joe Biden says the Obama administration is committed to getting firefighters the equipment, training and additional staffing they need to do their jobs.

Biden spoke Monday at a conference of the International Association of Fire Fighters. The group represents more than 292,000 full-time professional firefighters and paramedics.

The vice president says a lack of firefighters is putting the lives of other firefighters at risk and this will change with the new administration.

Biden told the group that he and his family owe the first responders who saved his two young sons after a car accident in 1972.

His first wife and infant daughter were killed in the accident. Both boys recovered fully.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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I hope he and the administration are true to their words. Where would you start if it was your choice. Id go to the IAFF. They are one of the largest labor organizations in the world. No reason NOT to go to them. It can not be said that the IAFF doesnt help firefighters....so if you are a politician whether you are garnering support or trying to support...IAFF is where you should be.
Jake, thank you for your response. I am on call firefighter in my town. I occassionally look to the local unions for support on issues such as LOASP. I went out on a limb when I supported their medi-gap insurance a number of years ago. We shall see.
Of course they are! Thats what happens when the IAFF helps pay your way to the White House. Hopefully they don't forget about the poor ole' vollies out there that REALLY need the money. Especially with the NFPA trying to mandate no fire apparatus on the road older than 20 years. How many of us could pass that one? Or the new SCBA requirements? Try watching a 3 station department with 34 volunteers and an annual operating budget of $10,000 function, much less meet all the new requirements in the works. LOL, sorry, just stepped out of a meeting where I was told the 19 year old "union member" who's currently on month one of his probie period outranks me, after 14 years of service to 4 different departments, becuase he's "better trained". Funniest thing? I taught his academy! Let's just hope the administration doesn't see any differences between us, and helps the ones that need it the most. A firefighter is a firefighter is a firefighter, no matter how often you get a paycheck.
Amen, to that! As a friend once said,"Father Fire does not discriminate. If you are career or volunteer or on call He will take you when He is ready." We are all firefighters some of us are on call 24/7 some work a 24 hour shift. It does not make any difference. Stay safe one and all.

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