The imagery of firefighters is a valuable commodity for anyone trying to sell a product, advance an issue or even influence politicians. We are coveted coalition partners with interests ranging from climate change to wireless carriers. There are times when the fire service chooses to partner with other organizations or an industry on an issue, lending our image to a worthy cause or even supporting a commercial product.
Firefighters were on the frontline of passing the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, helping all the victims of 9/11—that is, not just our 343 brothers killed that day and the thousands more who contracted occupational diseases, but also the residents, workers and visitors who were at or near Ground Zero. Advocates and politicos alike will concede that without firefighters leading the way, Zadroga would never have passed.