Forest Service Chief Randy Moore Testifies In Congress About Permanent Pay Increases and Retention.
Further discussion about Forest Service Retardant Tankers and more.
The Chief of the Forest Service testified today before the House Appropriations Committee, Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, regarding the 2025 budget request. The testimony lasted just over one and a half hours.
First things first… the audio technician for this hearing needs to question what they will do for work in the future because the microphones were basically broken throughout the hearing. The Chief was grilled about everything related to the wildfire budget, tribal contributions, the recent Texas wildfires, and why the Forest Service doesn’t have its own Tanker fleet.
Not only is it more cost-effective to contract those tanker fleets, but the last time the Forest Service tried to build out its own tanker fleet, it ended in scandal. The Historical Aircraft Exchange Program saw old military aircraft acquired by the Forest Service to be used to fight wildfires. But in classic fashion those aircraft were illegally sold to private companies, which then sold them for a profit. A good chunk of those aircraft never saw a wildfire.
But I digress… The Cheif is correct that contracting tanker fleets is likely the best route to take.
The Chief spent a chunk of time talking about the permanent pay fix that has been proposed in Congress, retention updates, and what it’s like being a wildland firefighter. For a reminder, the temporary supplemental pay was extended through fiscal year 2024 (November 1st), but no permanent solution to the pay issue has been passed by Congress going forward.
Chief Moore expressed the importance of passing this legislation to give firefighters assurance that the current pay they are currently receiving stays in place. The Chief explained that it’s actually cheaper for the Government to pass the permanent solution than to keep extending the temporary supplemental pay.
Imagine that… but it must be noted that the new calculations rely on firefighters getting a certain amount of overtime, which is never a guarantee. Funny math for sure.
When asked about current hiring and retention, the Chief responded that the exodus of firefighters has basically stopped but is concerned it will again restart if Congress doesn't act. I’ve been talking to people doing hiring this year… according to them, it doesn’t sound like the retention and recruitment issue is fixed.
He finished up this section of questioning by explaining to committee members that wildland firefighting is a thankless, hard, and dangerous job and Congress needs to step up and pass the permanent pay fix to support these employees.
Here is that full exchange: (hey, audio guy… do a sound check next time.)
It was clear watching this hearing that Chief Moore came prepared for this hearing, and most of Congress still doesn’t understand the wildfire industry.
I will cover more of what was discussed on tomorrow’s episode here on substack, plus other pressing wildfire news.
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Not sure if you want to hear this, I remember my first year(1972) as a hotshot GS-2 at $2.48 per hour, (1977) as a smokejumper GS-5 at $5.52 per hour. No regrets, loved the work! I have the SF-52 as proof. Wheels of government progress in the Forest Service are sooo slow. Then to watch my son doing it all over, much like his father…sleeping in his personal vehicle or camping at a campground near his duty station during time of duty. Now he has moved on, and will be working for a real Fire Department . We compare the progress like racism, we have made some or little progress but have a long ways to go. Godspeed.
Seems like the government not wanting to take accountability for their trees (no poke at the good folks on the ground level). Government and a lack of accountability whaaaat?