President Donald Trump’s federal hiring freeze is poised to create significant challenges for fire departments across the nation as they brace for the upcoming wildfire season. Typically, this period would involve the onboarding of thousands of seasonal firefighters to prepare for spring and summer wildfires, but the freeze halts this crucial process.
Ben McLane, a federal hand crew captain and board member with Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, expressed grave concerns over the freeze, stating, ‘It’s going to be really bad, really quick. We’re going to have a lack of personnel when fire season gets going.’ McLane noted that historical patterns suggest another severe fire season is likely, yet the hiring freeze, enacted by an executive order from President Trump, prevents the creation or filling of any new federal civilian positions.
Federal firefighters play an integral role in battling wildfires across the nation and sometimes even abroad. As noted by McLane, ‘The federal government is the only resource that does that as fluidly and nimbly.’ The hiring freeze, however, has stalled the reemployment of thousands of seasonal workers who are essential to these operations. ‘All of that is stopped right now,’ McLane reported, adding that there is no flexibility in the schedule to restart hiring at a later date.
Significantly, the Department of the Interior employs 5,780 federal wildland fire personnel, while the US Forest Service has over 11,300. The impact of the freeze means a reduction in crew numbers, such as in Utah, where trucks may run with fewer firefighters than required, compromising operational effectiveness.
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The pay for federal firefighters has also been a longstanding issue. Steve Gutierrez of the National Federation of Federal Employees highlighted that many federal firefighters start at just $15 an hour, a factor that contributes to chronic understaffing. He emphasized that the freeze exacerbates insecurity among these workers, who already face high-risk, stressful jobs without adequate compensation or certainty of employment.
The executive order mentions exceptions for maintaining essential services and public safety, but wildland firefighters have not been included as essential, leading to confusion and unease. ‘We need to find out soon if there is intent to exempt wildland firefighters from the hiring freeze,’ McLane urged. Gutierrez echoed the sentiment, lamenting the lack of communication from relevant agencies and highlighting the potential loss of highly trained personnel to other sectors.
In cities like Los Angeles, which recently experienced devastating wildfires, the freeze compounds existing staffing issues. The local fire department is among the most understaffed in major US cities, with less than one firefighter per 1,000 residents, bringing further attention to the critical need for resolution.
Concerns loom as the freeze continues, with no current indication of exemption for federal firefighters. McLane underscored the anxiety this uncertainty brings, stating, ‘Emergency responders don’t perform better when they are characters in political theater, and it feels like we are.’ The lack of communication and direction fuels apprehension about the capacity to manage the forthcoming fire season effectively.
The ongoing federal hiring freeze raises significant challenges for fire preparedness across the United States. With firefighting resources already stretched thin, the inability to hire and maintain essential staff may lead to dire consequences as the wildfire season approaches. The situation calls for immediate attention to ensure sufficient personnel are available to protect lives and property from the increasing threat of wildfires.
