Sen. Adam Schiff is urging federal agencies to exempt seasonal wildland firefighters from the ongoing federal hiring freeze to ensure readiness for future wildfires. The hiring freeze, initiated by President Donald Trump, has halted the onboarding of thousands of firefighters, potentially leading to a shortfall ahead of the next fire season. The U.S. Forest Service, a key firefighting agency, has not exempted wildland firefighters from the freeze. Schiff’s letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior, and Office of Management and Budget calls for immediate action to exempt federal firefighters, stop encouraging resignations, and provide information on the impact of the freeze on hiring and retention of seasonal firefighters.
The recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area have highlighted the importance of federal firefighters in responding to and preventing devastating fires. Federal agencies hire over 15,000 seasonal firefighters each year, but without exemptions, these essential positions are at risk. The Department of the Interior has stated that exemptions for public safety positions are allowed under Trump’s executive order, but the specific status of seasonal firefighters remains unclear.
Schiff’s concerns stem from the vital role that federal firefighters play in protecting communities from wildfires. The lack of exemptions for these positions could jeopardize public safety in fire-prone areas. The OMB and USDA have not yet responded to Schiff’s letter, raising further questions about the future of seasonal wildland firefighting efforts.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
