Federal Wildland Firefighter Classification Act

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5697) to provide for the appropriate designation of certain Federal positions involved in wildland fire suppression activities, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 5697, the Federal Wildland Firefighter Classification Act, was introduced in June by Representatives Richard Pombo and Jon Porter to ensure that Federal wildland firefighters receive the recognition that they deserve in the Federal hiring process. Specifically, the legislation would designate employees who engage in firefighting duties as having the title ``wildland firefighter'' in Federal job classifications. The importance of this legislation is well documented in hearings

and testimony before several congressional committees. Also, we have witnessed the sacrifice these firefighters are willing to make to keep communities and their property safe.

Current wildland firefighter classification standards are far outdated and simply do not accurately reflect the all-risk duties performed by these brave men and women all year round. This legislation is the least we can do for these Federal wildland firefighters who lost their lives and those who continue to rehab from serious scarring and life-altering burns.

I urge all Members to join me today in supporting this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

I have no further speakers, and I also yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Madam Speaker, last August, the Federal Workforce and Agency Organization Subcommittee held a hearing in Las Vegas on Federal firefighter compensation. In addition to pay, one of the concerns raised at the hearing by the Federal Wildland Fire Service Association was the classification of Federal wildland firefighters.

Federal wildland firefighters are classified as either general schedule or wage-grade employees of the Federal Government. However, many of them are placed in the occupational series called forestry technicians, range technicians, and biological science technicians that do not reference their firefighting duties. These current classifications do not accurately represent the work performed by these wildland firefighters. H.R. 5697 would correct that by redesignating forest and range technicians as Federal wildland firefighters. This bill changes the name but not the pay of those currently called wildland firefighters or technicians. H.R. 5697 is supported by the FWFSA, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I strongly support this bill, and yield back the balance of my time.