The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has spotlighted how longtime firefighter, IAFF member and Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association (PPFFA) President Bob Brooks is running for Congress.
Brooks announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional in a video released on social media.
Brooks spoke of his decision to run, saying: “I got into this for the people I’ve worked alongside my whole life. There are not enough working-class people in Congress.”
According to the IAFF’s announcement, Brooks joined the Bethlehem Fire Department in 2005 and spent more than 20 years serving his Eastern Pennsylvania community.
He became deeply involved in IAFF Local 735 early on in his career, having held the positions of roster duty Chairman, Trustee, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and ultimately, President.
In 2021, Brooks was elected president of the PPFFA. Under his leadership, the association built a strong relationships with state lawmakers and advanced legislation to improve firefighter health and safety.
General President of the IAFF, Edward Kelly commented: “Bob Brooks is one of us – plain and simple. He epitomizes what it means to be a union firefighter and he’s spent his whole career fighting for working people.
“I know he’ll bring that same fight to the halls of Congress.
“Washington needs more leaders like Brother Brooks and the IAFF is proud to support his campaign.”
In the first 24 hours after his launch, Brooks announced that his campaign had raised more than $100,000 in donations.
Brooks is running on a platform centered on lowering costs for families, ensuring access to universal healthcare and prioritizing the needs of workers.
Brooks concluded: “I’ve spent decades running into burning buildings and sitting across the table from management fighting for fair contracts.
“I know what it’s like to have your safety on the line, to work a few jobs to cover the bills and to have someone try to tell you your work isn’t worth what you know it is.
“That’s why I’m running – folks like us deserve someone in Washington who’s lived it, not just talked about it.”
The IAFF has spotlighted how longtime firefighter, IAFF member and Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association (PPFFA) President Bob Brooks is running for Congress.
