Wildfire Firefighter Pay

Floor Speech

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Ms. TITUS. Madam Speaker, you are so right that, since Saturday, multiple agencies from several States have been coordinating just south of Reno to fight the Davis fire.

Among those on the front line is the Silver State Interagency Hotshot Crew. Just as it sounds, the hotshot crew is a group of brave wildland firefighters who, day in and day out, put their lives on the line to fight and suppress wildfires.

Certainly, we know that climate change, including increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere, is what has been the key driver in increasing the risk and intensity of wildfires in the West, at least over the last two decades when fires have gotten more frequent, more intense, more expensive, and more difficult to put out.

That is true in Nevada, where we have been experiencing record extreme heat. We hit 120 degrees just last month. That is a record for Nevada, which is always hot but certainly not 120 degrees, and we have ongoing drought.

Now, these conditions have a significant impact on the surrounding environment, and as hotter temperatures increase, they dry out moisture from leaves and branches, and they provide kindling to fuel these more intense wildfires.

When many of these wildfires occur, we rely on a response from the Federal wildland firefighters, but they are paid, as you have heard, significantly less than their counterparts at State and local agencies.

It is obvious that we need to do more to remedy this situation so we cannot only retain the firefighters who are in the force but can also recruit more to their ranks.

That is why I am proud to join my colleague, Representative Neguse, on legislation to increase the base pay and retirement benefits for wildland firefighters, as well as provide greater access to mental health and wellness services as they put themselves on the line for us.

We owe a great debt of gratitude to these heroes, and the reforms that are in this legislation are the least that we can do in response and in return for their service and sacrifice.

I thank our Nevada hotshot crew, all the firefighting agencies at the Federal level who are working together to try to keep our community safe, and Representative Neguse for his leadership on this important issue.

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