In a bipartisan move, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Bernie Moreno (R-OH) introduced legislation aimed at improving the conditions for federal firefighters. The Federal Firefighters Families First Act proposes to address their grueling work schedules and pay discrepancies compared to their municipal counterparts, according to the Arizona Senator's Office.
"Federal firefighters protect our communities from wildfires and keep our veterans and service members safe," stated by the Arizona Senator's Office press release. On the other hand, Senator Moreno highlighted, "America’s firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect and save communities across the country." In the current schedule, federal firefighters are expected to routinely work 72-hour weeks, which translates to 24 hours on-duty followed by 24 hours off-duty. The proposed bill aims to not only reduce these hours to improve their work-life balance but also to ensure that their pay adequately compensates the vital work they perform.
Key points of the Federal Firefighters Families First Act, as outlined by the Arizona Senator's Office press release, include establishing a 60-hour work week for those protecting federal installations while keeping the current pay steady. It also aims to adjust the calculation for the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to accurately reflect the regular overtime that these firefighters work.
The measure has garnered support from various fire service and federal employee organizations. "Federal fire fighters are being pushed to the brink – working 72-hour weeks that risk their health, safety, and well-being," General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Edward A. Kelly, explained. Similarly, Dan Freiberg, President of the Professional Firefighters of Arizona, stressed the need for the bill, remarking, "Federal firefighters in Arizona risk their lives every day while working exhausting 72-hour schedules, but they’re getting paid significantly less than their local counterparts," as noted by the Arizona Senator's Office. These endorsements hint at a growing consensus for the necessity of such reforms.
Apart from advocating for reduced work hours and proper compensation, the legislation seeks to ensure that overtime pay is fairly included in retirement calculations – a longstanding issue for federal firefighters. With such measures, the bill aims to enhance the recruitment and retention of federal firefighters, ultimately strengthening the service's ability to respond to emergencies and protect public safety. The full text of the legislation, along with a summary and a detailed section-by-section description, can be found on the Arizona Senator's Office official senate webpage.
