International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) General President Harold A. Schaitberger issued the following statement today in support of President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of retired Marine General John F. Kelly to run the Department of Homeland Security.
“Nothing is more critical to the safety of our citizens than the protection and security of our homeland, and General Kelly is the right person for the job.
“After 9/11, when terrorists attacked our country and 343 FDNY members lost their lives attempting to save those trapped in the World Trade Center towers, General Kelly served in the War on Terror, commanding troops in the first invasion of Iraq, then returning to Iraq two more times following his initial tour. He understands the sacrifice it takes, having lost a son in the fight to protect our country. He understands firsthand that fire fighters are the first line of defense in the event of an attack on our homeland. He’s completely committed to doing whatever is necessary to ensure that our citizens and country remain safe.
“General Kelly’s over 40 years of experience overseeing military operations at the highest levels make him a good choice to run the complex operations at DHS. Our nation’s professional fire fighters trust General Kelly to provide the command structure, resources, tools, equipment and training needed to respond quickly and effectively during any homeland security event.”
