New Mexico Delegation Demands Wildland Firefighter Raises

and the promised classification of “firefighter”

New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich Tweeted this yesterday:

Martin Heinrich @MartinHeinrich

Wildland firefighters deserve better pay.   We’ve seen incredible resolve and courage from firefighters on the front lines of increasingly dangerous fires in New Mexico. We’re asking President Biden to implement the pay increase the Infrastructure Law promised.

The letter, which is signed by the New Mexico delegation and addressed to USDI Secretary Haaland, USFS Chief Moore, and Office of Personnel Management Director Ahuja, demands that wildland firefighters be given a clear timeline of when their proposed/promised raises will take effect.

The letter also asks for clarification regarding the classification of “wildland firefighter,” which firefighters (designated as “forestry technicians) have been fighting for for…decades. This classification would grant federal wildland firefighters the same privileges as many state and city firefighters.

What do you think?