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A bill to reform and enhance the pay and benefits of Federal wildland firefighters, and for other purposes.
1/29/2025, 11:56 AM
Summary of Bill S 279
One of the key provisions of the bill is to increase the pay of federal wildland firefighters to ensure they are fairly compensated for their dangerous and demanding work. The bill also includes measures to improve the benefits and working conditions of these firefighters, such as providing better access to healthcare and mental health services.
Additionally, the bill aims to enhance training and career development opportunities for federal wildland firefighters, ensuring they have the skills and resources needed to effectively respond to wildfires. The bill also includes provisions to improve the recruitment and retention of firefighters, recognizing the importance of having a skilled and experienced workforce. Overall, Bill 119 s 279 seeks to support and empower federal wildland firefighters, recognizing the critical role they play in protecting our natural resources and communities. By reforming and enhancing their pay and benefits, the bill aims to ensure that these firefighters are properly supported and valued for their important work.
Congressional Summary of S 279
Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act or Tim's Act
This bill increases compensation and establishes additional benefits and programs for federal wildland firefighters. (These individuals are employed by the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior, or tribal governments.)
The bill increases the minimum rate of basic pay for wildland firefighters at General Schedule (GS) levels 1 through 15 by percentages specified in the bill, with smaller increases for higher GS levels. The bill also requires comparable increases to the hourly rates paid to prevailing rate employees who are wildland firefighters. It also establishes premium pay for wildland firefighters who respond to certain prolonged fire incidents and are deployed outside of their normal duty stations or to an area adjacent to the incident. These changes take effect after other temporary pay increases for wildland firefighters expire.
The bill also (1) establishes paid rest and recuperation leave; (2) allows certain prior service to be credited for retirement purposes; and (3) provides housing allowances, tuition assistance, and other benefits for wildland firefighters.
Further, the bill directs the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs within the Department of Labor to ensure that psychological stress-related injuries and illnesses correlated to fire response are compensated and to expedite related claims.
The bill also establishes programs to (1) assist the next-of-kin of wildland firefighters and fire support personnel who are critically injured or killed while in the line of duty, and (2) support the mental and physical health of wildland firefighters.
