U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack recently called for Congress to take action and provide better pay and support for federal wildland firefighters, emphasizing the need for workforce reforms to address the growing wildfire crisis. He highlighted the importance of investing in resources and offering fair compensation to protect the land and the dedicated individuals on the front lines combating wildfires.
“USDA is proud to be part of an interagency community committed to taking better care of wildland firefighters by working for better housing, work-life balance, mental and physical health resources and offering pay that more accurately reflects the importance and dignity of their contributions,” Vilsack said in a June 30 statement for the observance of National Wildland Firefighter Day on July 2.
In the statement, the secretary acknowledged the significance of the day and emphasized the crucial role played by the USDA's Forest Service in addressing the escalating threat of wildfires nationwide. He also noted that the Forest Service employs approximately 11,000 dedicated wildland firefighters who serve on the front lines, actively combating the surging number of wildfires across the country.
“We have asked too much of our federal wildland firefighters for too long in return for too little," Vilsack said. "That’s why, as part of President [Joe] Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we’ve worked to ensure that more resources go to our land and the people who protect them. For the last two years, we have been able to supplement wildland firefighter pay through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, but that funding will run out in three months if Congress does not take action.
“This has been weighing heavily on firefighters. We urge Congress to quickly adopt the workforce reforms proposed in the president’s FY 2024 budget request and supporting legislation, which includes a permanent pay solution for our federal wildland firefighters, authorization of a special base rate salary table for all firefighters, and offers incident standby pay and hazard pay that reflects the important, dangerous work they do. Without congressional action, they face a significant pay cliff when their base pay returns to previous levels. They deserve better.
"As we celebrate the second annual National Wildland Firefighter Day, USDA remains committed to working with Congress to act now to do what is right and fair for our wildland firefighters.”
As the nation grapples with the escalating wildfire crisis, Congress now faces the decision of whether or not to heed Vilsack's call and provide federal wildland firefighters the additional support necessary to enact the proposed workforce reforms.
