Lawmakers urge fast-tracking Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act 

U.S. Representatives Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), and Jack Bergman (MI-01), alongside Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse (CO-02), met at the end of June with wildland firefighters at the Capitol to advocate for the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021 temporarily increased pay for federal wildland firefighters. However, this raise is set to expire on September 30, which could result in a pay cut of up to 50 percent for these essential workers. 

Washington’s District Three, which Perez represents, includes the southern part of Thurston County. The congresswoman spoke out in favor of the region’s wildland firefighters. 

“Wildland firefighters are the first line of defense for many across Southwest Washington, but their jobs are tough. They choose to spend their summers felling trees, digging lines, and sleeping in tents in sweltering heat. Their tireless self-sacrifice is an example to all of us, and it should continue to be honored through fair compensation,” she remarked.  

“With pay raises due to sunset in September, we could lose thousands of firefighters as they face a difficult choice of covering rent or continuing to serve their community. Congress needs to pass our bipartisan Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act to support our tireless wildland firefighters and protect the rural communities they help defend,” urged Gluesenkamp Perez. 

To prevent this loss of firefighters’ wages, the legislators sponsored the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act, aiming to make the new pay structure permanent.  

“It’s past time we pass legislation to protect their pay structure, and I am proud to lead this bipartisan group of members in bringing attention to this issue today,” stated Gallego. 

This legislation seeks to provide financial stability and ensure the retention of federal wildland firefighters, safeguarding communities and natural resources from devastating wildfires. 

“This legislation, H.R. 5169, would effectively codify a higher pay scale, permanently increasing federal firefighter salaries and giving them the appreciation they deserve,” Bergman observed. 

According to a press release from Gluesenkamp Perez’s office, earlier in the month “she held a childcare roundtable with Southwest Washington first responders – and she has also met with local fire chiefs and commissioners across Southwest Washington.” The statement continued, “After the Tunnel 5 Fire broke out in Skamania County last summer, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez visited the fire line to hear from firefighters firsthand.”