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.
Join with us and the GRASSROOTS WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS and sign this petition to make sure Congress knows what’s at stake here. “We will give the signed petition to each member of Congress,” says Riva Duncan, the organization’s vice president, “and we’ll urge them to avoid the Firefighter Fiscal Cliff. Please share this petition with your family, friends, colleagues — and anyone else who cares about this nation’s beloved public lands.”
Learn more about the Grassroots Wildland Firefighters and how you can help here:
A Missouri man was sentenced today to 12½ years in prison for arson on the Mark Twain National Forest and assault of a U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer; U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh sentenced Lucas G. Henson, 37, of Iron County, Missouri, and ordered him to pay the USFS about $7,200 in suppression costs for the fires he set. According to a report by ky3.com Henson pleaded guilty in March to assaulting the LEO, along with arson and felon in possession of a firearm.
KSDK News reported that Henson last year set three fires across Butler and Wayne counties, which damaged seven or eight acres of National Forest Land. He also pointed a crossbow at a Forest Service officer.
U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming of the Eastern District of Missouri said Henson was in the forest after he’d crashed a stolen truck while fleeing from the truck’s owner. He also faced multiple other charges including first-degree robbery, stealing a motor vehicle, and resisting arrest.
He is due in New Madrid County Circuit Court in July.
According to Fleming, Henson was out on bond after being charged with stealing and drug offenses, when he stole a Ford van on October 22, 2022 near Poplar Bluff. He abandoned the van when it ran out of gas. Later that day, he broke into a camper and stole items from it. The next day, he stole a Dodge pickup, then burglarized a home and stole a 9mm handgun. He also stole a crossbow from a workshop near that home.
When the truck’s owner found Henson, Henson pointed the 9mm at him and drove away. Law enforcement officers then joined the pursuit. Henson eventually crashed the truck on Mark Twain National Forest land, then started a fire and attempted to burn the handgun 😜 and the other stolen items before trying to escape into the forest.
Officers began tracking Henson with dogs, and when they approached he started his next fire. Henson started another fire when officers approached him again.
He later aimed a crossbow at a U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer, as well as other officers, before taking off again. He was eventually caught near the Black River. Besides the USFS the case was investigated by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Shelton prosecuted the case.
This year marks a new high of 2.5 million cans of water produced this summer by Anheuser-Busch and donated to volunteer fire departments across the country. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) partnership with Anheuser-Busch and its wholesalers producers delivers cases of canned drinking water to VFDs to help keep firefighters hydrated in times of emergency or long incidents. Anheuser-Busch also works with the American Red Cross — since 1906 — to support disaster relief efforts in the U.S.
This summer the company will deliver 2.5 million cans — more than ever before. The pallets of water will be gifted to over 600 VFDs in 48 states, with a goal of reaching more than 1,000 this season.
The company understands that despite the countless hours of service that volunteers provide, they often lack the budgets to adequately equip and supply their firefighters at a safe level; producing and donating these cases of drinking water is one way that Anheuser-Busch helps out and gives back to those who protect their communities from fires and other emergencies.
“Showing up for our communities and first responders has long been part of the Anheuser-Busch legacy – that’s who we are,” says Cesar Vargas, chief of external affairs. “We’re proud to continue building on that tradition by working with our wholesaler partners and NVFC to support our neighbors, friends, and families.”
Anheuser-Busch has a long history of providing support for disaster relief and preparedness, including through its flagship emergency drinking water program and its partnership with the American Red Cross. Since launching this collaboration with NVFC in 2019, the brewer has donated more than 6.4 million cans of clean, safe drinking water to more than 960 volunteer fire departments across 49 states.
NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch said the canned drinking water is a valuable asset in volunteers’ ability to respond to wildfires and other emergencies. “We appreciate Anheuser-Busch’s increased commitment to supplying our nation’s fire service with this much-needed resource — and for their continued partnership in keeping our communities safe.”
Cases of canned emergency water are sourced from Anheuser-Busch’s breweries in Cartersville, Georgia and Fort Collins, Colorado — these breweries periodically pause beer production to can clean, safe drinking water for volunteer fire departments. More info about the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters Program (nvfc.org/water) is available online.
Anheuser-Busch supporting volunteer fire departments
ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH:
At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life’s moments, dream big to move our industry forward, and make a meaningful impact in the world. We hope to build a future that everyone can celebrate, and everyone can share. For more than 160 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities, and packaging plants.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL:
NVFC is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services. The NVFC (nvfc.org) serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical advocacy, resources, programs, and education for first responders across the nation.
THIS IS A REPLAY of an old post from 6 years ago,
a photo and a message posted back in June 2017 by a friend of a friend.
He gave me permission to re-run the photo and the message.
Patrick Carnahan wrote back then:
“A little better pic from last night’s fire. I’ve been doing this for 29 years now and this is the first wildland season since 1994 that I’m concerned about extreme fire behavior. In ’94 I didn’t know any better and I thought all fires should, would, and will hand you your ass if you’re not on top of your game. For those spending the summer on the lines this has the potential to be a long season, so keep one foot in the black and live to tell the stories. Here’s to walking where the devil dances and your water is always warm. STAY SAFE, MY FRIENDS.”
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:
