Rep. Panetta Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Waive Overtime Pay Cap and Protect Federal Firefighters

Rep. Panetta pushes to lift overtime pay cap at press conference with federal wildland firefighters.

To watch the video, click HEREor on the above photo.

Washington, D.C. - United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) authored and introduced, with co-leads Don Bacon (NE-02), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Josh Harder (CA-09), and Joe Neguse (CO-02), the Support Our Firefighters Act. This bipartisan legislation would waive the overtime cap for federal wildland firefighters and ensure they receive mandatory rest and recuperation time.

Federal wildland firefighters are subject to an annual compensation cap, which includes base pay, overtime, and premium pay. During peak fire season, many federal wildland firefighters work extensive hours while assigned to an incident. This arbitrary cap often forces firefighters to fight fires and protect communities without getting paid, and exacerbates retention issues. To help address this issue, the Support Our Firefighters Act would permanently waive the pay cap for federal wildland firefighters so that they are fairly compensated for their lifesaving work.

The bill would also ensure federal wildland firefighters receive three days of paid rest and recuperation leave after a 14-day period and four days of rest and recuperation following a 21-day period.

"With wildfires raging across the country, Congress must ensure we can properly recruit and retain our federal wildland firefighters," said Rep. Panetta. "The unreasonable current overtime pay cap and unsustainable lack of rest and recuperation time undermines these selfless professionals' ability to best protect families, homes, and businesses and risks pushing them to jobs with better pay and conditions. That's why our bipartisan bill would permanently lift this arbitrary compensation cap while also providing mandatory rest for federal firefighters. It's this type of bipartisan, commonsense solution that can address the wildfire crisis and strengthen our federal firefighting workforce."

"Our first responders, including our wildland firefighters, are willing to put everything on the line to keep our communities safe," said Rep. Bresnahan. "Wildfires are unpredictable, and we cannot afford to limit their annual pay or force these brave men and women to choose between serving their communities and providing for their families. The Support Our Firefighters Act helps retain experienced firefighters, strengthens wildfire response, and ensures firefighters receive the pay they have earned and the rest time they need."

"When wildland firefighters answer the call of duty, they put their lives on pause - leaving behind their lives and families for months at a time, working an average of 16-hour daily shifts, sleeping in the dirt, with incredibly limited time off to reset and reconnect with loved ones. Their service is an incredible sacrifice, and we must do everything we can to support the brave individuals that make up this workforce. That's why I'm proud to join Congressman Panetta in introducing the Support Our Firefighters Act, a bill that expands upon our efforts to increase firefighter pay by permanently waiving the overtime pay cap and ensuring folks are provided an adequate rest and recuperation leave. It's up to us to make sure these courageous heroes are well compensated for their selfless dedication," said Rep. Neguse.

"Our wildland firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our communities from devastating fires," said Rep. Bacon. "As a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I'm pleased to co-lead the bipartisan Support Our Firefighters Act to ensure these heroes receive the rest, support and resources they need after difficult deployments."

"Wildland firefighters shouldn't be punished for taking a breather after spending weeks on the frontlines of severe megafires," said Rep. Harder. "Our firefighters are already being pushed to the brink by this year-round crisis, and they need relief. This bill keeps our promise to those who stand between our communities and fire disaster by guaranteeing the rest, pay, and support they've earned."

"From the forests of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to those out West, our federal wildland firefighters put their lives on the line every fire season - and we're losing good people to attrition because the workforce system hasn't kept pace with the support our firefighters need and deserve," said Rep. Bergman. "The Support Our Firefighters Act guarantees real recovery time, fixes the overtime pay cap waiver, and protects the pay continuity these crews depend on, and I'm proud to help co-lead this bipartisan effort with my colleagues."

"Federal wildland firefighters perform grueling, complex work while defending American communities from the wildfire crisis. It is critical that these men and women have time to recover after deployments and that they are fairly compensated for their incredible duties. NFFE is proud to endorse this legislation to guarantee rest periods for the dedicated public servants on the front lines, in addition to lifting overtime pay limitations for hours worked on fire assignments. Addressing both issues will help ensure the workforce is adequately equipped to carry out its important mission. Thank you to Representative Panetta and the original cosponsors for their leadership in supporting federal wildland firefighters," said NFFE National President Randy Erwin.

Despite risking their lives and traveling cross-country for months at a time to protect American communities and forests from wildfires, many of the more than 18,000 federal wildland firefighters live paycheck to paycheck, sometimes working overtime without fair pay. Wildland firefighters are required to work long hours in challenging and changing conditions, such as high temperatures and steep terrain. Federal agencies have continuously experienced difficulty with retention due to the nature of their work and compensation.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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