Supporting the first responders who keep us safe
We ask a lot of our first responders. They show up on our worst days — when there’s a fire, an accident, a medical emergency, or someone in crisis — and do the difficult work of keeping us safe. In the State Senate, I’ll work to ensure our firefighters, police officers, and EMTs have the modern equipment, rigorous training, staffing, and resources they need to do their jobs safely.
I’ve always been enormously grateful for their work, and several experiences over the years have given me a small glimpse into what that service demands.
As chair of the Greenwich finance board, I had the opportunity to participate in simulated firefighter training, where I put on full protective gear and experienced firsthand the challenge of navigating a smoke-filled room. The weight, heat, and disorientation were overwhelming. I was breathing so heavily I went through two air tanks way too quickly.
The exercise gave me some insight into what firefighters face. And, it reinforced for me why investments in modern equipment, protective gear, and rigorous training aren’t optional. They help first responders do their jobs safely — and return home to their families.
Earlier in my career, a ride-along with the New York City Police Department showed me how quickly an ordinary call can become unpredictable. It also strengthened my belief in community policing and the importance of trust between officers and the people they serve, particularly when responding to mental health crises.
And during COVID, this became even more personal. My daughter chose to become an EMT. She studied hard and joined an organization of volunteers and trained professionals, GEMS, who have made our community one of the safest places to live if you need emergency response services.
I have enormous respect for the first responders who serve our community and our state. They have our backs every day. As your state senator, you can count on me to have theirs.