Federal wildland firefighters finally received a permanent pay raise after years of advocating for better compensation. The raise was included in a spending bill approved by Congress and is awaiting President Donald Trump's signature.
The new pay scale will make permanent the temporary raises of either $20,000 annually or 50% of their base salary, which were enacted in 2021 under the Biden administration. Additionally, firefighters will receive incident-response premium pay for active fires, calculated at 450% of their hourly base rate for each day spent on the fire, with a limit of $9,000 per year. This marks the first time federal firefighters will be compensated for their rest and sleep time while away from home, a standard practice in most municipal and state departments.
The pay increase comes at a crucial time as federal firefighters grapple with staffing shortages and the reinstatement of over 5,000 probationary employees who had been fired in February. The reinstatement was ordered by a federal civil service board ruling, which found the mass firings may have been unlawful. However, the future remains uncertain as the Trump administration has set a deadline for federal agencies to submit reorganization plans that could lead to further job cuts.
The uncertainty has already had a significant impact on the Forest Service, with Chief Randy Moore resigning last month and several top foresters stepping down this week. The resignations highlight the challenges faced by the agency and the need for long-term solutions to address staffing shortages and ensure the well-being of its workforce.
8 Comments
KittyKat
This is a win for everyone who cares about our forests and the people who protect them. We need to keep the pressure on the administration to ensure that this raise is implemented quickly and effectively.
Katchuka
This is just politics. The administration is trying to buy votes with this raise. It's not about what's best for the firefighters or the Forest Service.
Loubianka
This is a good start, but we need to do more to support our wildland firefighters. They are the heroes who protect our forests and keep us safe.
KittyKat
This is a good start, but we need to do more to support our wildland firefighters. They are the heroes who protect our forests and keep us safe.
Eugene Alta
This is just another example of the government throwing money at a problem without addressing the underlying causes.
Raphael
This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of wildland firefighters. They have been fighting for this raise for years, and they deserve to be recognized for their efforts.
Michelangelo
I'm glad that the firefighters are finally getting a raise, but I'm worried about the future of the Forest Service. We need to make sure that we're investing in this agency and its employees.
Leonardo
It's about time! Wildland firefighters have been underpaid and overworked for too long. This raise is a long-overdue recognition of their essential work.