A new White House order imposing an across-the-board freeze on federal hiring has created concern among firefighters. The executive order, signed Monday and effective immediately, stopped all agencies and departments from filling vacant positions. It called on them to “seek efficient use of existing personnel and funds to improve public services and the delivery of these services.” How will wildfire fighter hires be affected? Is there a firefighter hiring freeze here?
Firefighter hiring freeze—or not?
In a story carried by firehouse.com, one federal employee advocacy group president wondered: “If you’re saying no to the people that make the system work, whether it’s hiring officials in Albuquerque or the human resources department, will things be delayed?” That concern was raised by Luke Mayfield, president of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters.
The executive order carves out exceptions for positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety. However, it’s not clear what hires in the U.S. Forest Service would be exempt from the freeze. The Service is the chief overseer of federal wildfire fighting.
A similar concern has been raised about other federal land agencies, including the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management. No one is clear on what ends up as defined as “public safety.”
California focuses attention
As far as wildfires and public safety are concerned, California is certainly front and center. Statistics from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management show that the Forest Service had some 5,600 employees in California last year.
How will Forest Service employee needs face up under the freeze? “USDA is reviewing all the Executive Orders signed by President Trump and expects to share guidance on implementing them to agencies and mission areas as soon as possible,” said Scott Owen, a spokesperson with the United States Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Forest Service. His statement was a response to a request from firehouse.com.
Interestingly, in the last 50 years, U.S. population growth has increased by 57%. At the same time, the number of federal workers has increased by 6%. That information from the American Federation of Government Employees.
If Forest Service firefighters do fall under the “public safety” exemption, the present lack of clarity on the matter could still have an impact.
Since wildfires seem to have taken a “no vacation” stance, getting crews hired and geared up in time to combat even more fires that continue to break out could be a nip-and-tuck situation—even if there isn’t a firefighter hiring freeze.
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So the problem is we don’t have enough firefighters staring at hydrants that have no water. Got it.
6% growth is far to much given over 80% don’t report to work the last 4 years.
How about the 88,000 new IRS agents that we don’t need anymore just put in for a transfer of department and join border patrol and defend the country, or head to California and fight the fires, if they want to live off the TAXPAYER’S dime, otherwise quit… as in go away.
Nice try at deflecting Newsom’s criminally negligent incompetence. It won’t be long now until CNN reports that 47 actually lit the fires and must be impeached.
I agree, Cancelproof. Of course there is push-back for any cuts in any areas of government. Lots of folks have cush, well-paying jobs that require almost no work. Who wants go give that up?
“The executive order carves out exceptions for positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety“. Wouldn’t fire fighters come under the heading of “public safety”? There will be push-back for every single thing this administration tries to do, like doing away with “the norm”.
Yup. Plus the idea that the country needs to pay for this recovery effort is crazy. This is not a natural disaster. This is pure incompetence on display. Bad policy resulted in bad consequences by leaders chosen by the people. Once the state of California declares bankruptcy, we can talk about rebuilding in receivership, properly with federal money.
Choose to live in California but don’t have fire insurance on your $10 million home, your choice. Move to Tennessee and buy a $250k home, same size, lower taxes. Under insured?, Bad choice. Infuriating.
Tennessee? You moving out our way, Cancelproof? Have a great day and safe travels!
I was just spitballing and then boom, Tenessee came into my mind as having some of the most welcoming, generous and gracious people in the great U S. of A..
Thank you for the compliment, Cancelproof! I will try to live up to those glowing words of praise. 🙂 Safe travels!
It’s only been 4 days and the panic and alarm are already setting in….
Let the gaslighting begin….
Thank you for the news, Russ and Tina! Interesting circumstance and one of which I have little to no knowledge beyond this and the comments. Have a great day and safe travels!
Cancelproof, you might try doing some legitimate research instead of disseminating biased guesswork.
What did I get wrong? Be specific. I’ll be waiting.
In CALFIRE Mission Statement:
“A critical part of CAL FIRE’s mission, core values and the Department’s 2023 Strategic Plan, is to continue to integrate into a Department of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and infuse Governor Newsom’s Executive Order.”
Maybe that’s why the State is having difficulty hiring firefighters, and overly dependent on the Feds’ manpower to address California’s politician-caused problems?
“However, it’s not clear what hires in the U.S. Forest Service would be exempt from the freeze.”
Hum??? My local National Forest announced last October they would not be hiring any part-time employees (basically what they run on to get actual work done) except firefighters for 2025.
That was based on the CR that was passed at that time. This is a new announcement and needs to have language clarified regardless of what was stated in Oct.