[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 17 (Thursday, January 28, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S201-S202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN:
  S. 138. A bill to waive certain pay limitations for Department of 
Agriculture and Department of the Interior employees engaged in 
emergency wildland fire suppression activities, and for other purposes; 
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  Ms. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the 
``Wildland Firefighter Fair Pay Act,'' which I introduced today.

[[Page S202]]

  



                               Background

  Fueled by climate change, the annual Western wildfire season has 
grown longer and more intense. Where the threat used to peak between 
August and November, we are now seeing massive wildfire events earlier 
in the Summer and continuing through the end of the year.
  Last year alone, California experienced more than 9,600 fires which 
burned more than 4.1 million acres, consumed more than 10,000 
structures, and claimed 33 lives.
  It is imperative that we commit enough manpower and resources to 
combat the threat that such devastating wildfire seasons pose to life 
and property.
  Unfortunately, some of our most experienced Federal firefighters work 
so many overtime hours each year that they reach an overtime pay cap 
and become ineligible for additional overtime compensation. Others are 
forced to pay back money they have rightfully earned fighting 
wildfires.


                          Need for Legislation

  Federal firefighters from the Departments of Agriculture and the 
Interior are paid on the General Schedule (GS) pay scale based on their 
seniority and performance. They make a base salary and are paid 
overtime when they exceed eight hours a day.
  However, there is an annual premium pay cap that limits how many 
overtime hours for which these firefighters can be compensated.
  This arbitrary pay cap places an unfair expectation on federal fire 
personnel to work long hours for less or even no pay, and serves as a 
dangerous disincentive to respond to more fire incidents, especially 
later in the fire season. California's worst wildfires often occur late 
in the fire season, further illustrating the problem we face.
  The Forest Service estimates that up to 500 senior-level firefighters 
either stop participating or do not request pay for hours worked once 
they reach the pay cap. This has a significant negative impact on 
federal wildfire response capabilities.


                     What the Legislation Would Do

  Our bill would create a statutory waiver for Federal firefighters 
responding to wildfire emergencies to ensure they receive fair 
compensation for all overtime hours they work.
  This waiver would apply to Forest Service and Department of the 
Interior personnel engaged in emergency wildland fire suppression 
activities.


                               Conclusion

  For wildland firefighters, working long hours in dangerous conditions 
is often considered a necessary part of the job. It is crucial that 
this demanding work be recognized, and that these heroes be 
appropriately compensated for the critical service that they perform.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this bill. Thank you, 
Mr. President, and I yield the floor.

                          ____________________