FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Matt Dorsey
(202) 550-6987
March 17, 2025
Washington, D.C. – On Friday, the U.S. Senate passed a continuing resolution previously approved by the House of Representatives, securing government funding through September 30, 2025. Now signed into law, this legislation includes key provisions from the FY 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act – most notably, a permanent fix to the pay cliff for federal wildland firefighters.
The pay language, taken from the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act (WFPPA), was originally crafted by NFFE in 2022 in collaboration with the office of former Senator Kyrsten Sinema. This measure ensures the continued special pay authority for wildland firefighters while broader, long-term compensation reforms are pursued.
Since 2021, at NFFE’s urging, President Biden has provided federal wildland firefighters with a temporary 50% pay increase up to $20,000 through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Recognizing the need for stability, NFFE has led a sustained campaign to extend this pay authority through short-term extensions in appropriations bills and continuing resolutions, until a permanent solution could be enacted.
In 2024, NFFE members and staff successfully secured another extension of the temporary pay authority and achieved a permanent fix to the pay cliff in both House and Senate Appropriations bills. Although the 118th Congress adjourned before passing the WFPPA into law, the bill garnered overwhelming bipartisan support thanks to the tireless advocacy of NFFE wildland firefighters, who met directly with members of Congress to highlight the urgent need for fair wages.
“After years of NFFE wildland firefighters traveling to Washington to meet with their representatives, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle came to understand the severity of this pay cliff and the need to pay fire personnel a fair wage,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “Federal wildland firefighters can now breathe a sigh of relief, knowing their pay will not be drastically cut. This victory shows the power of collective action and union advocacy.”
“However, our work is far from over,” Erwin continued. “With the pay cliff resolved, we must now focus on recruitment and retention, housing, rest and recuperation, mental health resources, and ensuring competitive wages for the incredible work our nation’s wildland firefighters perform.”