FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Matt Dorsey
(202) 550-6987
March 11, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed its version of a continuing resolution (CR) to fund government operations through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2025. The bill includes a long-awaited, permanent fix to the “pay cliff” issue that has threatened federal wildland firefighters’ wages for the past five years.
The pay cliff problem began when a temporary pay increase—intended to address the dangerously low wages of federal wildland firefighters—expired, leaving many firefighters facing potential pay cuts of up to 50%. Since then, Congress has repeatedly passed short-term extensions in appropriations bills and continuing resolutions, but the uncertainty surrounding firefighter pay has remained a significant concern.
Last summer, following aggressive lobbying by NFFE staff and union members, the House of Representatives passed the FY 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which included the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act (WFPPA) pay provisions. The following day, the Senate Appropriations Committee introduced its FY 2025 Interior bill, incorporating the same pay provisions. These measures, included in this evening’s continuing resolution, will provide federal wildland firefighters with a long-overdue permanent pay increase if signed into law.
“For years, our union and NFFE members have fought tirelessly for a lasting pay solution for federal wildland firefighters,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “Now, that fight is paying off. A permanent pay fix means we can shift our focus to addressing other critical issues—recruitment and retention, housing, mental health benefits, rest and recuperation, and the overall well-being of our nation’s wildland firefighting workforce.”
“Congress clearly understands the need to combat the wildfire crisis and pay those on the front lines fairly,” continued Erwin. “However, the Trump Administration and DOGE must understand that terminating firefighters and fire support personnel, as has been suggested and attempted, will cripple the workforce and make Americans less safe. Congress must not let these harmful plans be carried out.”
NFFE sincerely thanks House Interior Appropriations Chair Mike Simpson and Ranking Member Chellie Pingree for their leadership and unwavering support of wildland firefighters throughout the appropriations process. Their commitment to securing this pay fix ensures that the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our communities receive the fair compensation they deserve.