US government should immediately start by giving each FS firefighter $300 a week that they’re paying folks to not work. That could happen without dragging this issue out for 2021.
7 Likes
Though catchy to say, it’s not supported by evidence (facetrash doesn’t count). However I agree it’d be easier to give the Feds an immediate weekly bonus until a legit pay scale can be implemented.
The good news is this is getting a lot of airtime on different platforms which is more than it has in the past. HT to milehighbar for relentlessly “keeping the fire burning” on this platform .
6 Likes
Happy to see this hitting major news outlets. It was interesting on twitter to see IAFF chime in but then most a picture of a DOD/Federal Fire Maltese cross. Disconnect somewhere about who we are talking about here or are they as poorly paid as well?
4 Likes
As a former 081 series firefighter (working for the NPS/GOGA back in the day), yes, paid poorly on a 72 hour schedule.
2 Likes
POTUS is reportedly scheduled to give a public briefing June 30th to address Federal Wildland Firefighter pay. Unconfirmed at this point.
Keep fighting. Keep it simple
4 Likes
-
$21 entry level pay and scale up as you go through the ranks. $15 an hour only gets those that risk everything, into burger flipper pay. $15 does not stop the exodus.
-
Create a Wildland Firefighter Series.
-
Implement portal to portal pay nationwide immediately using ordered standby. This is in-alignment with most public sector Union agreements.
Do we always get everything during bargaining sessions or negotiations, no. Especially when you have multiple agencies, multiple political types, OMB, and OPM involved. However force a focus on 3 key specifics and we might just get lucky. Keep pounding.
4 Likes
“We believe strongly that the U.S. Government must modernize and update federal wildland firefighters’ job classifications and pay grading, which were established more than 30 years ago and are now woefully out of sync with the current wildfire risk and job market,”
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
Alex Padilla
United States Senator
Kyrsten Sinema
United States Senator
Steve Daines
United States Senator
3 Likes
So for a temp fix, the current DOI and USDA Forest Service employees who are on a fire line any given day keep there GS pay rate right now, until they decide on a permanent fix but instead bump up their Hazard Pay percentage 50 -75 percent more and make it every day they come to work regardless if they make it to a fire or not that day.
That would be a very easy “quick fix” BUT what do you do with the " olgist" folks who come and are a division sup or branch director or the recreation specialist who comes to the fire as a medical UL? Do they get the increase in hazard pay? Seems they would. But how do you address the local SO staff who are your time UL or Finance SC or Com UL or Logistics Section Chief? How do you pay them? There not on the fire line, but there important to your needs. And does the look outs also get the bump but there not “on” the fire line but there your eyes. And those in dispatch and or expanded? For the Forest Service there Forestry Techs with some given fire service ranks, just like those on the line.
Basically is the bump in pay just for those physically on the fire line or do you include the rest of the unit or Forest?
1 Like
They’ll reflect what state and local does. Anyone on incident gets p2p. The 50% increase is specifically forestry techs or anyone included in the wildland firefighter classification. Just like those admin people dont get Fire/LEO retirement. Your day job doesn’t reflect your ICS quals. Hazard pay was meant for when met with hazards outside your normal job. Our normal job is hazardous all the time. Else according to the book, I should get H pay for hiking steep slopes.
2 Likes
Remember, changing classification not only includes a name. Presumptive cancers are covered also.
6 Likes
6 Likes
I agree with your statement, but most support staff from CF and LG only get hour to hour unless their job is a 24 hr position, which is not a lot of support staff. I always thought FTechs should get H pay every time they report for work. That would have limited the IC’s letting in a few “extra” engines so they could get their “H” pay. Make it as part of their pay. I thought alot of 4-5-6’s how to drive a split and I should have gotten H pay for it. 
2 Likes
Let’s remember our FORESTRY TECH’s are fighting fire in a tinder dry timber on the Shasta T right now doing the same if not even more right now than our fellow CF and Local Gov’t partners for a 1/4 of what they being paid! The fire behavior being displayed is impressive. Haines index of 6, stuff is burning like jet fuel
6 Likes
Well, I was wrong. Disappointed in the administrations decision to select Moore as Chief. Moore oversaw the decline of the regions fire organization. Since 2012 he has done nothing. Maybe something positive will come from this unfortunate decision.
4 Likes
Unfortunate indeed.
1 Like
Current administration will continue down to same path of past practices, not benefiting the employees.
2 Likes
Let’s hope he wakes up. I’m curious who will fill behind him
1 Like