VIDEO: Harder Discusses Proposal to Hire 11,300 Firefighters During Critical Hearing with US Forest Service Chief
The United States Forest Service has requested a 47% increase in its budget to hire 11,300 firefighters for this fire season
WASHINGTON – In anticipation of another deadly fire season in the West, Representative Josh Harder discussed firefighter staffing with United States Forest Service (USFS) Chief Randy Moore. The USFS testified in front of the Appropriations Committee to back their request for $1.15 billion in funding - a 47% budget increase compared to last year - in order to hire 11,300 firefighters this season and pay them at least $15 per hour.
VIDEO: Watch Rep. Harder’s Q&A with Chief Moore online here.
This continues Rep. Harder’s diligent work to address the staggering lack of firefighters employed with the US Forest Service as California continues into its third straight ‘driest year on record.’According to recent reports, 20% of U.S. Forest Service firefighters left their jobs in California from 2019 to 2021. That’s a loss of more than 1,000 firefighters in just a three year span. Hiring 11,300 firefighters will enhance year-round fire response and hazardous fuels reduction activity and allow the Forest Service to continue important investments that support the health, wellbeing, and resilience of the agency’s wildland firefighting force.
Read Rep. Harder’s remarks as prepared for delivery below:
“Chief, thank you for attending today’s hearing. As you know, wildfires are an existential issue for communities like mine in California’s Central Valley. Last year we experienced 60 smoke days due to these wildfires - that’s two months out of the year when the air was so filled with smoke that it was unsafe for our kids to play outside. As you know, I’m a proud supporter of the incredible work our firefighters do to prevent and fight these wildfires. That’s why I am concerned about the Forest Service’s continued firefighter shortages. You’ve requested $1.15 Billion to fund hiring additional firefighters. Are you fully staffed right now and if not, how long do you estimate it will take to be fully staffed?”
“How do you account for the original need for more firefighters, compounded with the departure of many industry employees across the country?”
“USFS is requesting a 47% increase in budget from FY22. Given USFS’s goal to hire 11,300 firefighters for the coming fire season, what actions are you taking to incentivize hiring new firefighters?”
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