Delaware's first responders are the guardians of our communities. They are not just public servants but our neighbors, friends, and pillars of strength. Operating tirelessly around the clock, these dedicated individuals, comprising police, fire, and emergency medical staff, go above and beyond to ensure our collective health and safety. In their unwavering commitment to service, they often endure long, challenging shifts, putting themselves at personal risk to assist those in need.
These true examples of servant leaders embody resilience in the face of understaffed, overworked, and underpaid conditions. Despite these challenges, they faithfully report for duty day and night, securing our communities and allowing us to rest peacefully. Their motivation isn't grounded in the pursuit of recognition, but rather in the satisfaction of a job well done in the service of others.
It's time for our society to recognize the invaluable contributions of these first responders. Their indispensable role in maintaining the safety and well-being of our communities ensures the smooth functioning of our civil society.
Key Positions
- Fight to close staffing deficits and ensure competitive pay for first responders across Delaware
- Secure adequate equipment and resources, so no first responder faces danger without what they need
- Provide comprehensive physical and mental health support for those who bear the weight of service
- Address workplace violence and create stronger protections for those on the front lines
- Build genuine community appreciation and support for the guardians of our neighborhoods
By making a comprehensive commitment to support the needs of our first responders, we demonstrate our recognition and gratitude for their service. It's time to unite and reassure our first responders that we steadfastly appreciate them, support them, and that we unequivocally have their back.
Delaware's first responder community is stretched thin. Volunteer fire companies, the backbone of rural fire protection across Kent and Sussex counties, are struggling to recruit and retain members as the demands on their time and the cost of training and equipment continue to rise. Law enforcement agencies across the state report chronic staffing shortages and elevated rates of officer burnout, PTSD, and early departure from the profession. EMS response times in lower Delaware have worsened as call volumes increase and wages stagnate. Federal resources, including SAFER grants for fire department staffing, COPS program funding for law enforcement, and federal mental health parity rules, directly affect what Delaware communities can offer the people who protect them. A Senator who treats first responders as a priority, not a talking point, can direct those resources where they are needed most.
As a physician and emergency care specialist, Dr. Katz has worked alongside first responders his entire career: in trauma bays, in emergency departments, and in the critical care units where the most serious cases arrive. He understands the physical toll of the work, the mental health burden that accumulates over years of service, and the systemic failures that leave responders without adequate support. He has also experienced, as a business owner and community leader in Delaware, what it means when the people who protect your community are not being given what they need. He will be a consistent, credible advocate for first responders, not just on election day, but in every budget fight and policy debate in Washington.