John Barrasso

01/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/17/2025 14:27

Barrasso Bill Honors Nation’s Wildland Firefighters with Congressional Gold Medal

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to honor wildland firefighters in the United States.

Congressional Gold Medals are awarded by Congress and presented to individuals, groups, or institutions for their distinguished achievements, service and contributions.

"Our brave wildland firefighters risk their lives each day to protect forests and communities across Wyoming and the West," said Senator Barrasso. "These brave men and women deserve our honor and respect for their vital work and dedication to our communities. We also want to honor and remember all our firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. We are committed to supporting all of our past, present, and future wildland firefighters so they can continue to defend our forests and lands well into the future."

Our nation's wildland firefighters are essential to protecting life and property in our communities. This legislation would honor their strength, service, and sacrifice. The Medal would be awarded in honor of all wildland firefighters and displayed at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.

Co-sponsors of this legislation include U.S. Senators Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).

This legislation is supported by the Wyoming State Forestry Division, Wildland Firefighter Foundation, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, the U.S. Hotshot Association, United Aerial Firefighters Association, and Protect our Protectors.

"2024 was a historic wildfire season impacting hundreds of communities and burning millions of acres across the United States, and our wildland firefighters have gotten no respite in 2025. From the start of every wildfire to the bitter end, our firefighters have stood strong to protect lives and property. Senator Barrasso's recognition, and the honor this bill bestows upon the wildland firefighting community is humbling. This Award is a testament to the heroic efforts of the wildland firefighters." - Kelly Norris, Wyoming State Forester

"The Grassroots Wildland Firefighters would like to thank and applaud Senator Barrasso for continuing to champion Federal Wildland Firefighters. Senator Barrasso has been a consistent advocate of Federal Wildland Firefighters as a co-sponsor of the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act. This legislation recognizes the strength, resiliency, sacrifice, and service provided by a consistently unrecognized and underrepresented Federal Wildland Firefighter workforce. This legislation highlights a workforce that is under increased stress due to fire seasons that have turned into fire years, wildland fires that are consistently out of the backcountry and in backyards. A workforce that is specialized and trained to work in dynamic and dangerous environments protecting life and property. A workforce that provides all hazard emergency response when called upon. This congressional gold medal reinforces the need for Federal Wildland Firefighter reform to further support the recruitment and retention of the Federal Wildland Firefighter Workforce." - Lucas Mayfield, President, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters

"Despite our increasingly severe wildfires, wildland firefighters consistently show unwavering courage and dedication. Working under extreme conditions, they tirelessly protect our communities from the devastating impacts of these fires. Their sacrifices, both physical and emotional, are immense. We owe a profound debt of gratitude to these brave men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe." - Tiffany Taylor, Senior Policy Director, United Aerial Firefighters Association

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

###