Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today held a virtual town hall with Northern Nevada firefighters to discuss the most recent fire season and the Senator’s efforts to provide much-needed support for those on the front lines of this year’s devastating wildfires across the state. Cortez Masto also heard their firsthand accounts of where she can work with state and local officials to secure additional resources and support for both firefighters and Northern Nevada communities.
“Nevada’s brave firefighters, dispatchers, and support staff protect our communities every day, and I’m proud to support their lifesaving work,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I got to hear from them firsthand today about their experiences during a long and intense wildfire season and we discussed how we can work together to ensure they have the funding, equipment, and resources necessary for such a grueling and important job. I’ll continue working in the Senate to get them that critical help.”
“We are grateful to meet with Senator Cortez Masto today. The Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada have always had a seat at the table with the Senator and her staff when it comes to issues that involve occupational cancer and public safety benefits, public safety infrastructure, grant programs such as SAFER and AFG, and our increasing response to and impact from wildland fires,” said Tom Dunn, District Vice President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada. “Over the past year, Senator Cortez Masto has been in contact with the PFFN as Covid-19 impacted our state and has been instrumental in obtaining federal funding for PPE and direct relief money to our communities that maintained fire department staffing and EMS response.”
Senator Cortez Masto is a champion in the Senate for Nevada firefighters and has led federal efforts combat devastating wildfires. This year she introduced her comprehensive Western Wildfire Support Act to help prevent, respond to, and recover from wildfires. The senator also supported over $3.4 billion for wildfire prevention, suppression, and restoration activities in the bipartisan infrastructure bill, including $10 million she authored for wildfire detection equipment. Senator Cortez Masto has repeatedly called for the federal government to do more to support Western states affected by fire, and regularly hosts conversations with local leaders to better understand how she can best help Nevada’s fire professionals. During her time in the Senate, Cortez Masto has consistently advocated for and secured federal dollars for Nevada fire departments in every county in need.
###