08/23/2025
The Glendale Firefighters Association Local 493 stands with the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona (PFFA) in strongly condemning the League of Arizona Cities and Towns’ passage of PSMAC 1; a resolution designed to shut down any discussion of fixing Tier 3 pensions for public safety. This reckless vote wasn’t just a policy choice; it was a deliberate decision to turn their backs on firefighters and police officers who risk their lives every single day to protect Arizona’s communities.
We proudly commend Mayor Jerry Weiers for his courage and conviction in voting against PSMAC 1. Mayor Weiers showed true leadership by standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Glendale’s firefighters, police officers, and the public we serve. His vote was a stand for safety, fairness, and the people of Glendale- not politics.
The League’s decision is a slap in the face to every first responder in Arizona. It deepens a staffing crisis that’s already driving up 911 response times and putting communities at greater risk. Glendale’s firefighters will not sit quietly while politicians play games with our safety and our future.
We are grateful for leaders like Mayor Weiers, who had the courage to do what’s right. Glendale’s first responders- and the people we protect- deserve nothing less.
The League of Arizona Cities and Towns collectively turned their backs on public safety in our state Tuesday, worsening a crisis that has made the dangerous work of protecting our communities even more difficult.By passing PSMAC 1, a resolution meant to block much-needed future changes to the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System, the League’s leadership essentially told tens of thousands of fire fighters, cops, and the communities we serve, that we simply aren’t worth the trouble. That ill-advised decision threatens to end more than a decade of collaboration to improve PSPRS, years that have seen fire fighter and police organizations ever-willing to work with our employers, elected leaders, and taxpayers to protect the retirement system and to preserve public safety resources and budgets.We must commend Mayors like Mesa’s Mark Freeman, Peoria’s Jason Beck, Glendale’s Jerry Weiers, and Goodyear’s Joe Pizzillo, who voted against PSMAC 1. Unlike Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke – who proposed the measure – and the other yes voters, these leaders understand the challenges faced by fire and police departments statewide. We appreciate your commitment to keeping our communities safe.As you read this, public safety agencies are in crisis, losing experienced first responders daily and struggling mightily to fill open positions. This manpower shortage – surely made worse by the League’s vote – will continue to send 911 response times skyrocketing.Your PFFA will never turn our back on our members, the people we serve, and the generations of first responders yet to come. We will continue to resist anti-public safety measures like PSMAC 1, and we will continue to support our Tier 3 members in the struggle to achieve a fair, equitable retirement for everyone willing to risk his or her life to keep the public safe.
