Apparently police and firefighters don't just like Pam Byrnes — they also like her opponent, Rebekah Warren.

The Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union, the same group that announced earlier this week it was backing Byrnes in the 18th District state Senate race, has issued a dual endorsement also backing Warren.

Rebekah Warren

The two Democrats from Washtenaw County, who both currently serve in the state House, face off in the Aug. 3 Democratic primary, along with Scio Township resident Thomas Patridge.

Byrnes earlier this week announced an endorsement from the MPFFU, the state’s largest association of firefighters, as well as the Michigan Association of Police Organizations.

Keeping pace with her opponent, Warren has announced support from the Michigan Fraternal Order of Police, the Detroit Police Officers Association and the Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Michigan.

“We’ve always been impressed with Rebekah’s commitment to keeping our communities secure,” Dan Heythaler, DSAM's legislative director and past president, said in a statement.

Heythaler said Warren understands the important role that public safety plays in attracting businesses and residents to Michigan.

"Moreover, in these tough economic times, police and fire services are essential to neighborhood stability," he said. "It might be rough out there, but Rebekah knows that none of our residents deserve to live in fear for their lives from fire or criminals.”

Warren pointed to her opponent’s recent support of cuts to state revenue sharing, a major funding source for local government public safety services. In that vote, a majority of Democrats opposed the measure, but a handful of them — including Byrnes — sided with the Republican minority. Warren argued that flies in the face of core Democratic values.

Pam Byrnes

“During that debate, we had hundreds of police and firefighters begging us to keep our communities safe and secure, especially in this down economy when abandoned homes become havens for crime or tinder for fires,” Warren said. “Some of us heard that message, but we were not able to carry the day. As a result, every city and township in Washtenaw County is facing a cut to public safety.”

The city of Ann Arbor, which Warren represents in the Legislature, cut 10 positions in its police and fire departments at the beginning of this month.

Byrnes' campaign manager, Kent Sparks, said earlier this week that voting to cut state revenue sharing was not an easy decision for Byrnes, who preferred a revenue solution instead.

"But when the Republicans have uncompromised values of a no-tax pledge, someone has to be the grown up and make the tough decisions to resolve the issues," Sparks said. "Leaders have to make tough decisions."

Warren said the state has been forced into an era of smaller government by a declining economy, but lawmakers still have a responsibility to prioritize investments in a way that keeps communities whole and residents safe.

"Police and fire protection is a fundamental service, and one that does not belong on the chopping block," she said.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.