(DOI) and the United States Forest Service (USFS). The letter expressed concerns surrounding overtime pay for wildland firefighters and requests an explanation of the next steps to ensure these individuals are being paid in accordance with new standards enacted through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Wildland firefighters protect communities from property damage, mass evacuations, threats to air quality, and the tragic loss of human lives. Nearly every major wildfire in the U.S. relies on a response from federal wildland firefighters and the vital services their specialized crews provide. The historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law directed the U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Forest Service to address wildland firefighter health.
The lawmakers wrote, “Federal wildland firefighters are paid significantly less than their counterparts at state and local wildland fire agencies. A recent study conducted by the Government Accountability Office found that low pay was the most commonly cited barrier to recruiting and retaining federal wildland firefighters. We must ensure that this critical workforce receives an increase to their base salaries without the potential docking of any existing overtime pay.”
In response to the letter, the firefighter advocacy group, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters said, “Sincere gratitude to Rep Neguse, Rep Costa, Rep Harder, and Rep Titus for continuing to advocate for federal wildland firefighters and for their leadership in asking necessary questions of USDA and DOI officials. Grassroots Wildland Firefighters call on them to also hold the departments accountable regarding a permanent pay fix, ensuring it is done properly instead of as workarounds because of antiquated federal pay systems.”
The full text of the letter is available here.
Source: Congressman Jim Costa
