Federal wildland firefighters have finally secured a permanent pay raise after years of waiting for Congress to address their request. The spending bill approved by Congress includes a new pay scale and incident-response premium pay for firefighters assigned to active fires. The bill now moves to President Donald Trump for approval. The new pay scale ensures firefighters will keep their temporary pay raises of either $20,000 annually or 50% of their base salary, enacted in 2021. Firefighters will be eligible for premium pay for fires lasting longer than 36 hours, with a limit of $9,000 per calendar year. This is the first time federal firefighters will be paid for rest and sleep hours while away from home, a standard practice in municipal and state departments. Additionally, the bill addresses issues beyond pay, such as recruitment, retention, housing, mental health benefits, and general well-being. However, the uncertainty remains for federal firefighters, as the Trump administration set a deadline for federal agencies to submit reorganization plans that could result in large-scale reductions in force. This uncertainty has already led to resignations, including Chief Randy Moore, the first Black man to lead the Forest Service. Despite the pay raise, concerns linger about potential job losses for federal firefighters. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing changes and challenges facing the Forest Service and its personnel.
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