Video: State Firefighters Union Endorses Donovan in Meriden

State House Speaker Chris Donovan (D-Meriden) accepted the endorsement of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association for his 2012 bid for U.S. Congress at the city's Pratt Street Fire Station Wednesday.

"Fire fighters are the first responders, they are part of the community, they care about the community...I will do everything I can to protect the public servants that are working hard, and I am so proud that I received the endorsement of the fire fighters," said Donovan, wearing a sweatshirt embroidered with "2003 Best Legislator" – an honor that the union had previously bestowed upon on him.

The association represents all of the unionized fire fighters in Meriden as well as the Fifth District. Overall, it represents about 5,000 fire fighters throughout the state, according to the association.

Calling him "a good friend, a good supporter of working people and a great supporter of public safety," association president Peter S. Carozza, Jr. said his members would now begin working on behalf of the Donovan campaign via grassroots organizing.