FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Matt Dorsey
(202) 550-6987
September 3, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Today, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) is proud to endorse the Wildland Firefighter Hazard Pay Correction Act (H.R. 5091), introduced yesterday by Representative Celeste Maloy (R-UT). The bill provides hazard pay to federal wildland firefighters while engaged in prescribed fire operations, as well as smokejumpers performing training and proficiency jumps from airplanes.
“Although federal wildland firefighters and smokejumpers engage in planned yet necessary hazardous work, these activities are no less dangerous than being on the front lines of an active wildfire,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “Prescribed fires and training jumps still carry a tremendous amount of risk, and it is not uncommon for firefighters to sustain serious injuries and exposure to smoke and other hazards during these critical operations. Federal wildland firefighters must be fairly compensated with hazard pay for these activities.”
The legislation was drafted in a collaborative effort between NFFE staff, union members, and Rep. Malloy. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on September 2, where NFFE will seek to obtain bipartisan support for the legislation.
“Over the past few years, NFFE has been successful in securing better pay for federal wildland firefighters as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle recognize the increasing risk that wildfires pose to the safety of our country,” continued Erwin. “While firefighter salaries were permanently increased this year, there is still much more to do to ensure the federal government can fully staff and appropriately compensate the workforce responsible for combatting the wildfire crisis. This legislation will go a long way in that effort, and I am confident we can build bipartisan support to pass this bill. Thank you to Representative Maloy for her leadership on this important issue.”