Today, our union is gripped by sorrow in the wake of the tragedy in San Bernardino.

In what has become a weekly occurrence, a mass shooting has claimed the lives of innocent Americans and injured many more.

This attack is particularly close to home. Of the 14 people killed on December 2nd, 10 were SEIU 721 members. Of the 22 injured, 15 were members of our union.

So let’s remember the workers killed and injured in San Bernardino for who they were and are: everyday heroes working to make their community a better place to live and work. Workers like Mike Wetzel, a 37-year-old health specialist supervisor, who leaves behind six kids and a wife. Let’s honor them by supporting their families and organizing to make sure this never happens again.

This starts with reducing gun violence. To all the politicians on Facebook and Twitter praying for the victims and thanking the first responders: Do your jobs. Turn down the PAC contributions from the gunmakers and their out-of-control lobby, and start voting to protect your constituents.

It’s a sad commentary on the dangers faced by frontline public employees today that workers at the Inland Regional Center were initially unfazed by the SWAT teams charging toward their facility because they are so used to conducting “active shooter” drills at work. The fact is: SEIU members are first responders. We’re the first responders in America’s mental health crisis. We’re the first responders to Americans who lost their jobs and homes in the last economic meltdown. We’re the first responders for America’s sick, elderly, homebound and disadvantaged. Some of the people we try to help are frustrated and desperate, and sometimes the job is dangerous. These workers, like Hal Hauser, a member who was in the room to witness the horrible attack, will need our help as they return to work and begin to heal.

Please join me in contributing to the Local 721 Member and Family Support Fund and working with our union to fight for a safer workplace for all of us.

Bob Schoonover, President