Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Showed Priority For Public Safety
0
Votes

Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Showed Priority For Public Safety

The Arlington Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association takes our responsibility to keep Arlington safe seriously. Each time we respond to a call for help, we do so with the best interest of our neighbors in mind. It is with that same community-safety minded spirit the Arlington Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association supports John Vihstadt for re-election to the Arlington County Board.

Four years ago, the Washington Post endorsed Vihstadt as the Independent upstart who challenged the Democratic establishment, writing that without him, “The board runs the risk of groupthink.”

With Vihstadt’s leadership, Arlington County has seen a shift in priorities, across party lines, back to core services, including public safety. In 2016, with his support, the county finally achieved four firefighters on every fire truck for every call, in accordance with nationally recognized standards for a safe and effective response.

This investment in public safety helps firefighters better serve our citizens. Having enough firefighters means a more efficient response when seconds matter most. This investment made it safer for the firefighters and for the citizens, a fact Vihstadt understood when he made this a priority for the county.

We’re asking voters to cast their ballot in support of Vihstadt this Nov. 6, because he has supported our county since first elected and is poised to continue keeping us all safer.

Brian P. Lynch

President

Arlington Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association

IAFF Local 2800