Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters endorses Sherrod Brown

CLEVELAND — The Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters endorsed U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland. in his reelection campaign Sunday. Surrounded by the history of the Cleveland area fire service at the Western Reserve Fire Museum, Elyria Assistant Fire Chief and OAPFF Second District Vice President Dean Marks read the union's accolades for the incumbent politician. "Sherrod has always been a steadfast ally for Ohio firefighters," Marks, joined by his wife, Cindy, said. "He stands with the men and women who put their lives on the line every day, and he fights to make sure we have the tools we need to do our jobs." In 2024 alone, Brown helped deliver $30 million in grant funds to help Ohio fire departments remain fully staffed and access resources and technology needed to protect their communities, Marks said. That included an $850,000 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant for the Elyria Fire Department in August. Brown also worked to introduce Social Security Fairness Act, which repealed provisions that reduced benefits for individuals receiving other benefits like a state or government pension, Marks said; and helped pass a bill allowing retirees to use pension funds to pay for their insurance premiums without being penalized. The bill, though it has bipartisan support, has yet to pass. "We never have to wonder about where Sherrod stands," Marks said. "He always stands with Ohioans." Marks also highlighted the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, a bipartisan bill Brown introduced to crack down on fentanyl trafficking in Mexico and chemical suppliers in China by requiring the president to sanction criminal organizations and drug cartels' members and enhance sanction violations, while prioritizing fentanyl-related transactions for the U.S. Treasury Department, and allowing it to take measures to combat fentanyl-related money laundering. Brown thanked Marks and his union for the endorsement. "I appreciate the public service and the danger firefighters put themselves in every day, every day, from fighting fires to rescue missions to exposing themselves to fentanyl when a rescue squad goes out," Brown said. "... I appreciate the support of the firefighters, and I will continue to work to earn it." If reelected, Brown pledged to get the Social Security Fairness Act to a vote, and to push for legislation to help young firefighters, police officers and teachers make down payments on their first homes. The Homes for Every Local Protector Educator and Responder (HELPER) Act would create a first-time homebuyer loan program through the Federal Housing Administration for teachers and first responders. Marks is a 29-year veteran of the Elyria Fire Department and serves as Elyria Firefighters Local 474 president. Brown faces Republican challenger Bernie Moreno next month. Early voting is available at the Lorain County Board of Elections, 1985 North Ridge Road E., now through 5 p.m. Nov. 3. Election Day is Nov. 5. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.