May 15, 2025
NJFMBA sticks with Hudson Democratic organization, goes for Angelozzi over Torrissi,backs Kenyatta Stewart
By David Wildstein, May 07 2025 4:08 pm
The New Jersey State Firefighters Benevolent Association has endorsed 64 incumbent members of the State Assembly, but is backing Chigozie Onyema in the Democratic primary for State Assembly in the 28th district against incumbent Garnet Hall (D-Maplewood).
In the 8th district, the firefighters went with Anthony Angelozzi, a Hammonton public school teacher, against a primary opponent and over the Republican incumbent, Michael Torrissi (R-Hammonton).
The union is supporting the six Assembly candidates backed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization, bypassing incumbents Barbara McCann Stamato (D-Jersey City) and Jessica Ramirez (D-Jersey City); both are running on a slate with Steven Fulop, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate and the mayor of Jersey City. The firefighters instead opted for incumbent William Sampson (D-Bayonne) and Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker in the 31st district, Jennie Pu and Crystal Fonseca in the 32nd, and incumbent Gabe Rodriguez (D-West New York) and Larry Wainstein in the 33rd.
March 25, 2025
In an important push for recognition and support, the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (NJFMBA) is leading efforts to designate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as an essential service in the state. This designation would bring much-needed benefits and protections to EMS professionals who provide critical life-saving care daily.
Currently, New Jersey law only recognizes police, fire, and sanitation as essential services. This oversight means EMS departments often struggle with funding, staffing, and resources despite their crucial role in public safety. As FMBA EMS Committee Chair Steve Spurr noted at the March 2025 meeting, "This is common sense. EMS should be considered essential service."
March 25, 2025
The health and management of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) continues to be a top priority for New Jersey's first responders. At the March 2025 NJFMBA meeting, PFRS representative Matt Lubin provided a comprehensive update on the pension system's status and future direction.
Perhaps the most encouraging news is the improvement in the PFRS funded ratio, which has increased to 72.0% for the local plan, up from 71.5% previously. While the state plan remains significantly lower at 42.2% (up from 41%), both are moving in the positive direction. This discrepancy reflects the legacy of years when the state failed to make required contributions, creating a substantial funding gap that is only gradually being addressed.