Did you know federal firefighters are up for a big pay cut at the end of September? They are. You agree with that? We don’t either.
The federal government’s fiscal year runs from October 1 of one calendar year through September 30 of the next, and if Congress doesn’t act to pass legislation, then the current temporary funding to retain firefighters runs out! This puts federal firefighters and their families in a helluva bind — they will be forced to choose between staying in a job they love with dramatically less pay, or finding better-paying work to get by. The Forest Service itself has testified before Congress that without a permanent pay solution, somewhere between 30 percent and 50 percent of its firefighters will leave the ranks — triggering unsafe work environments for remaining fire crews and leaving many fires unstaffed.
Learn more about the Grassroots Wildland Firefighters and how you can help here:
its not a strike if every fed just works his base 80 hour paycheck Just Sayin
Thank RJ, interesting….still plenty of time to get busy to be sure…..
I think they ALL need a pay raise and Insurance in the event of injuries or death. I also believe if paid full time or Volunteer there should be compensated! I also believe training levels should be the same across the board weather Full or Part Time . I know all the excuses that Fire Service and EMS even Law Enforcement are just a money drain. That changes when they need us, but we also need to show that need as best that we can by being Professional at what we do and say both on duty and off ! Be Safe and God Bless !
https://gacc.nifc.gov/nrcc/predictive/intelligence/ytd_historical/preparedness_levels/PreparednessLevels.htm
Hey Roger not doubting your information “Not At All” just curious where you found the information?
I would like to see some other dates for other years….only because this is what retired folks do when they have nothing else to do…..lol……thanks…
In response to ” . . . July 1 and PL 2, when is the last time that happened?”
2022
It’s a bit of a misnomer to say they are to receive a pay pay cut, because they really never got a pay raise, they have what amounts to as a monthly cash award, if that goes away, they go back to their base pay which is pure crap, OPM needs to increase pay within the GS framework.
The spending bill has already been passed for next the FY, did that bill include additional pay or at the very least continue fund the retention bonus, I have noy heard that they have in fact done that on either account….consider the very slow start to the fire season….without the retention bonus things would be very bleak for a lot of folks…..July 1 and PL 2, when is the last time that happened?…..the best chance for real pay change may have come and gone with the new congress. Why did they go with a retention bonus? the easy way out…..No real solution! Aughhhhhhh!
GOOD POINTS from a valued perspective, Johnny.
Get anyone you can to sign that petition. I’ll add more updates here in the next few days …
It’s a shame. Hundred of families affected. With five decades in wildfire experience I don’t know of another occupation that is so dangerous for so little pay.
A big epidemic of yellow flu may start October 1.