UFA, UFOA & NYSPFFA Endorse Governor Hochul

By Bobby Eustace, James Brosi, & Sam Fresina | September 11, 2026

Twenty-five years ago this Friday, hundreds of our members went to work and didn’t come home. They scaled countless flights of stairs while everyone else was coming down, fought through rubble and smoke, and did everything they could to save as many lives as they could; some not knowing that they’d give their own in the process. As every New Yorker knows, “never forget” serves to remind us not only of the horrors of that day, of all that we lost, but of the heroism and selfless sacrifice first responders, emergency workers, and firefighters displayed the instant we were called to. That legacy lives on, and will live for as long as New York itself does.

First responders and our families – and every family forever changed by 9/11 – are owed a debt by our leaders in public office. Just as what we faced can never be forgotten, and the pain it caused never fully healed, those who represent us in government have an obligation to stand up for everyone impacted by this tragedy. Our governor, Kathy Hochul, has done exactly that.

She has honored first responders’ legacy and dignity with much more than lip service: She cut red tape to get us benefits faster, and revived the September 11^th Worker Protection Task Force to give us a voice in government. Her advocacy on behalf of New York’s heroes started almost the second she became governor: ahead of September 11^th’s 20^th anniversary, less than one week into her new job, she asked us one question: how could she help?

Five years later, the answer to that question is clear for all New Yorkers to see: she signed into law long-overdue Tier 3 and 6 reforms to our retirement benefits and brought back the 20-year retirement option, she banned forever chemicals in our firefighting equipment, and signed legislation into law that protects healthcare for those of us dealing with lifelong illnesses from our line of work. From some elected leaders, we get speeches; Governor Kathy Hochul gave us action. For that advocacy, support, and steadfastness in honoring those of us who gave so much, the Uniformed Firefighters Association, Uniformed Fire Officers Association, and New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association are proud to endorse Governor Kathy Hochul for re-election this November.

In the wake of September 11^th, every New Yorker faced their own kind of loss: for some, their friends or family, others the loss of hope in a safer or brighter future. But when we came together again to rebuild this city, we forged its new foundations from more than steel and concrete. What now holds New York up – what holds it together, after an event of unimaginable tragedy – are the ultimate sacrifices of the heroes who put their lives at risk to protect others. We had this city’s back. Governor Hochul has ours.