Tim’s Act Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act
Impact
In light of its potential implications, the bill is anticipated to enhance the benefits available for wildland firefighters, particularly in areas concerning mental health support and financial compensation for their services. The legislation establishes funding for a mental health program designed specifically for firefighters, recognizing the high levels of stress and potential trauma associated with their duties. Additionally, the incorporation of rest and recuperation leave provisions serves to acknowledge the demanding nature of firefighting work, offering firefighters paid leave following deployments in qualifying incidents.
Summary
House Bill 3108, also known as the 'Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act,' seeks to address the compensation and support structures for federal wildland firefighters. The bill proposes significant reforms to the pay systems governing these firefighters, aiming to provide special rates of pay that reflect the specialized and hazardous nature of their work. One of the major changes involves the introduction of incident standby premium pay and adjustments to the existing base pay rates to better align with the responsibilities and risks associated with wildland firefighting.
Contention
Notably, the proposal could face opposition stemming from budgetary constraints and economic considerations, as implementing enhanced pay rates and benefits would require significant financing. Discussions surrounding the bill may also involve differing opinions on how best to structure compensation and support for emergency responders, with some advocating for broader reforms while others call for targeted changes. The provisions for premium pay and additional benefits represent both a recognition of the critical role wildland firefighters play and an acknowledgment of the unique challenges they encounter in their service.
Western Wildfire Support Act of 2023 This bill establishes activities to address wildfires. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to establish spatial fire management plans before the end of FY2026. The bill establishes accounts in the Treasury for addressing wildfires, a program to train and certify citizens who wish to be able to volunteer to assist USDA or Interior during a wildland fire incident, a program to award grants to eligible states or units of local government to acquire slip-on tank and pump units for a surge capacity of resources for fire suppression, the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize for the management of wildfire-related invasive species, and the Management of Wildfire-Related Invasive Species Technology Advisory Board. The bill also requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to reimburse a state or federal agency for the costs of wildfire suppression as a result of a fire caused by DOD activity, requires the Joint Fire Science Program to work with unmanned aircraft test ranges to carry out research and development of unmanned aircraft system fire applications, requires federal and state disaster preparedness programs to include postdisaster assistance, and authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide funding to a state agency to establish and operate a website to provide information relating to postfire recovery funding and resources to a community or an individual impacted by a wildland fire.
NIST Wildland Fire Communications and Information Dissemination Act This bill requires research on public safety communication coordination standards related to wildland firefighting. The Public Safety and Communications Research Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) must carry out research on such standards among wildland firefighters, fire management response officials, and specified federal agencies responsible for coordinating and mobilizing for wildland fire and other incidents. The research must also focus on improving and integrating existing communications systems to allow for secure, real-time transmission of data, alerts, and advisories to fire management officials and wildland firefighters. In carrying out the research, the division must (1) conduct live and virtual field tests of equipment, software, and other technologies; and (2) consult with NIST's Fire Research Division and communication technology manufacturers. Informed by the research, NIST must publish recommendations for specified federal agencies to improve public safety communication coordination standards among wildland first responders and fire management officials. In addition, NIST must advise the Office of Management and Budget and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy concerning the agencies' implementation of the recommendations. Within one year of the publication of NIST's recommendations, the Government Accountability Office must report on the extent to which the agencies have implemented the recommendations.