WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) led 14 of her Senate colleagues in a letter urging the Trump Administration to exempt seasonal firefighters from the federal hiring freeze. Reports emerged last week indicating that the federal funding freeze is preventing the hiring and onboarding of seasonal firefighters, a workforce that already struggles with recruitment and retention. This comes as the West continues to be ravaged by deadly wildfires.
“We write today following reports that hiring and onboarding for federal seasonal firefighters has stopped due to the Trump Administration’s federal hiring freeze,” wrote the Senators. “We are extremely concerned to hear that this is happening across the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service ahead of what’s expected to be another devastating wildfire year.”
“Although there is an urgent need to hire more federal firefighters, the Trump Administration’s hiring freeze does the opposite and is pausing hiring at a critical time for this already understaffed workforce,” they continued. “We urge you to put the safety of families and communities across the country first and allow the federal seasonal firefighter hiring process to continue without delay.”
The full letter can be found HERE.
Senator Rosen has been a leader in ensuring Nevadans have access to the federal resources needed to prepare for, stay safe during, and recover from wildfires. Last year, legislation she helped introduce to improve wildfire readiness and response passed favorably out of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. In addition, Senator Rosen has previously joined her colleagues in asking the White House for federal funds to help Nevada fight wildfires and extreme drought.
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