Professional Fire Fighters Of New Hampshire Endorse Ayotte In Gubernatorial Reelection Race

MANCHESTER, NH — The Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire endorsed Gov. Kelly Ayotte for reelection on Tuesday at the Manchester Fire Department Central Station.

Brian Ryll, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire, linked the endorsement to Ayotte’s work on firefighter benefits and health programs.

“Kelly Ayotte has always fought for New Hampshire firefighters and our families,” he said. “From delivering on her promise to restore retirement benefits to launching the Firefighters First Cancer Screening Initiative, Governor Ayotte continues to ensure we have the support we need on and off the job. The Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire are proud to endorse Governor Ayotte today.”

Ayotte said the endorsement reflects the work she and the union have done on first-responder issues.

“I’m proud to have the endorsement of PFFNH, and I am grateful for the work we’ve done together to support our first responders,” Ayotte said. “From a first-of-its-kind cancer screening initiative to keeping our promise to restore Group II retirement benefits, we’ve made it a priority to help our fire and EMS professionals get the support they need on and off the job. I look forward to working alongside Brian and his team to continue supporting the men and women who answer the call each day to protect our communities.”

Ayotte, in her first term, also supported mental health initiatives for first responders, such as the Southern NH Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and strengthened the state’s Move Over law. The retirement changes were made to recruit and retain public safety personnel.

The announcement also said New Hampshire ranks as the safest state in the nation. It did not cite the source of that ranking in the release.

The endorsement from the statewide firefighters union was announced at its annual meeting on May 13.