Federal wildland firefighters at risk of taking big pay cut

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Time is running out to find a permanent pay solution for federal wildland firefighters, who routinely rank among the most dangerous government jobs.

“The challenges right now, the immediate is proper classification and then proper pay that allows for a livable and plannable income,” said Grassroots Wildland Firefighters president Luke Mayfield.

Grassroots Wildland Firefighters comprises retired, resigned, and current wildland firefighters across the U.S. and advocates for federal wildland fire personnel.

“We see it. I mean, it’s 45% attrition of the federal workforce. A lot of them are going to state or local governments that provide that proper pay and classification,” said Mayfield.

In 2021, a temporary pay raise was approved to boost federal wildland firefighters' pay by $20,000 or 50%, whichever was smaller.

Last year, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema introduced the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act, which would make that pay raise permanent.

In August, permanent funding for federal wildland firefighters was secured in the annual appropriations bill, but it has yet to pass the full Senate.

The temporary pay raise will expire before the end of the year with no further action and the current congressional term is set to end on Jan. 3.

Mayfield hopes that a permanent solution can be reached to increase pay for federal wildland fire personnel instead of another temporary continuing resolution or a pay cut.

“That we see a permanent pay solution that becomes law and becomes appropriated and authorized where we don’t have to keep having these discussions every time we essentially hit a fiscal pay cliff,” says Mayfield. “These are some of the best and brightest first responders that we have to offer, and they need to be paid, supported, and taken care of.”

Rep. Ruben Gallego, who was elected to the U.S. Senate last month, sent Arizona’s Family the following quote.

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