National Smokejumper Association Publicly Backs The Permanent Wildland Firefighter Pay Legislation.
Letter penned to Congress.
As we come down to another deadline for fiscal legislation in D.C., the language for the Wildfire Permanent Pay fix still looks to have a chance to pass. However, folks I have spoken with in D.C. say it’s come down to approval from Congressional leadership on both sides. This includes Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnel, Mike Johnson, and Hakeem Jeffries.
In a ringing endorsement of the legislation, The National Smokejumper Association, comprised of 1,400 current and former smokejumpers, has sent a letter to the Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell. In the letter, Michael J. Bina, President of the National Smokejumper Association, asks Congress to quickly pass the legislation to avoid the pending 50% pay cut that has been hanging over the heads of the wildfire workforce for years now.
Bina backs the proposed legislation, which would permanently increase wildfire pay, create a new pay scale, and establish new pay supplements. As Congressional leadership continues to debate the legislation, this endorsement comes at a critical time in the fight for a permanent solution to the pending wildfire pay cliff.
The Honorable Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Minority Leader McConnell:
The National Smokejumper Association supports the bipartisan House and Senate Federal Wildland Firefighter pay adjustment in the next Continuing Resolution or Emergency Supplemental to eliminate a federal wildland firefighters pay cliff that will have extremely adverse effects on our nation's response to wildland fires and the financial security of those who protect our natural resources.
Today, 15,000 federal U.S. Forest Service (USDA) and Bureau of Land Management (DOI) wildland firefighters endure longer and more dangerous wildfire seasons each year, with the loss of life and property increasing at a phenomenal rate. A major concern is the recruitment, retention, and support of these professional and highly trained wildland firefighters.
A temporary firefighter pay adjustment has expired, resulting in our federal wildland firefighters enduring a pay cut of up to 50% of base pay or $20,000. The pending legislation is a permanent and essential solution to the pay cliff problem. The House and Senate Interior 2025 Appropriations Bits include a permanent pay solution supported by Democratic and Republican Committee and Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Members. This legislation would
Permanently increase Federal wildland firefighter pay;
Establish a new WFF pay scale; and
Establish additional WFF pay supplements.
The Senate has shown its support in voting for temporary pay increases by passing Continuing Resolutions since 2023 and in FY 2024 appropriations; however, the authority for these temporary pay increases will expire.
The National Smokejumper Association (NSA) is a Montana-chartered 501(cX3) nonprofit membership organization comprised of 1,400 current or former smokejumpers. Through a cadre of volunteers and partnerships, the NSA is dedicated to preserving the history and lore of smokejumping, maintaining and restoring our nation's forest and rangeland resources, and responding to the special needs of smokejumpers and their families.
We appreciate your leadership in getting the Senate to pass this legislation to adequately remunerate and support wildland firefighters who are on the front lines protecting our nation's forests, rangelands, and adjacent properties. Our men and women wildland firefighters deserve your support for a permanent pay provision for the critical and often dangerous, high-risk work they perform for our nation. Thank you for your support and leadership on behalf of our wildland firefighters and their families.
Sincerely yours,
Michael J. Bina, President of the National Smokejumper Association
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