by ROB HART
Democratic state Assembly candidate Janele Hyer-Spencer yesterday picked up the endorsement of the Uniformed Firefighters Association and the Uniformed Fire Officers Association. "An endorsement from firefighters is a badge of courage and hard work," said Mrs. Hyer-Spencer, at Engine Co. 165/Ladder Co. 85 in New Dorp. She is facing Republican Anthony Xanthakis for the seat of retiring Assemblyman Matthew Mirones (R-East Shore/Brooklyn). Firefighter Donald Ruland, Staten Island trustee of the UFA, said Mrs. Hyer-Spencer was receptive to firefighters' needs, including legislation to bolster health care and protect their families. "We look forward to working with her up north (in Albany)," Ruland said. "She won't just enhance firefighters, but all public safety on Staten Island." Capt. John Dunne, legislative and political action director for the UFOA, added that he has "personally come to know (Mrs. Hyer-Spencer) as a hard worker." "She'll do a great job for the firefighters in Staten Island and Brooklyn," he added. The UFA represents more than 9,000 firefighters, and the UFOA represents more than 2,500 in the department's upper ranks, including lieutenants, captains and battalion chiefs.
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