Professional Fire Fighters of MA Organization Endorses Steve Xiarhos for State Rep.

May 22, 2024

BARNSTABLE, Mass. – Steve Xiarhos has officially received the endorsement of The Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts in his campaign for re-election as State Representative in the 5th Barnstable District.

“Your tenure on Beacon Hill has been marked by your unwavering advocacy for firefighters and our families,” said Richard D. MacKinnon Jr., President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts. “Your consistent support for our priority legislation and your vocal representation of our interests have not gone unnoticed. You pride yourself on the relationships you hold with your local firefighters. We look forward to your next term on Beacon Hill and continued leadership for firefighters and our families.”

According to President McKinnon, the Barnstable Firefighters Local 3276 made a motion for the endorsement at the group’s May state meeting, which was adopted unanimously by assembled delegates.

The Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts represents over 12,000 active and retired firefighters, EMTs and paramedics from 231 local unions from across Massachusetts. The organization is affiliated with the International Association of Fire Fighters AFL-CIO CLC.

“It is my distinct honor to be endorsed by the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts in my campaign for re-election as State Representative, and particularly to have been recommended for this honor by the members of the local union from Barnstable,” Steve Xiarhos said. “As a former police officer and in my work as the Assistant Ranking Minority Member of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, I place a heavy emphasis on policies that protect first responders and help them perform their daily mission to keep us safe. I personally believe that our firefighters, EMTs, police, and other members of the first responder community are heroes and that it’s our responsibility to have their backs. They can count on me to support them because I believe in them and the importance of their mission.”

Xiarhos has been vocal in his support for policies that would eliminate PFAS (certain complex chemicals that resist grease, oil, water, and heat) from gear worn by firefighters due to health and safety concerns. He also has secured important state funding for local public safety projects, including funds for emergency generators and a trailer to serve as a temporary fire station for firefighters in Bourne. He has advocated this session for stiffer criminal penalties for those who commit assault and battery against first responders. And, he has worked extensively with local fire departments to provide training and support in the implementation of Nero’s Law, legislation Xiarhos sponsored that helps to provide emergency first aid to police dogs injured in the line of duty.

The endorsement is the latest in a series of recent endorsements announced by the Xiarhos campaign. Noteworthy recent endorsements include:

  • The Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts
  • The State Police Association of Massachusetts PAC
  • Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association
  • Massachusetts Coalition of Police
  • The New England Police Benevolent Association
  • Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association
  • Joint Base Cape Cod Fire Fighters Local S-28
  • The Bourne Republican Town Committee
  • The Sandwich Republican Town Committee

Xiarhos says his campaign has received and plans to continue announcing several additional endorsements in coming weeks.

Steve Xiarhos has served as State Representative for the 5th Barnstable District on Cape Cod since 2021. The district currently includes the Town of Sandwich and portions of the Towns of Barnstable (Precincts 10, 11, and 12) and Bourne (Precincts 1, 2, 3, 5A, and 7). Xiarhos has officially qualified for the ballot to seek re-election this November.

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