As an intense wildfire season approaches in the West, President Joe Biden is offering new retention incentives amid high turnover.In the midst of a historic heatwave creating prime conditions for a historic wildfire season, Presidentannounced Wednesday he plans to raise the federal firefighter pay to at least $15 an hour and offer new retention incentives amid turnover, as the White House seeks to boost its wildfire preparedness.
And with that stark remembrance, Biden noted that this year is already threatening to be worse and argued that climate change shouldn't be a partisan issue. The president also addressed head-on those who are dealing with historic highs this week, calling for people to take care of one another. "I just realized -- I didn't realize this, I have to admit - that federal firefighters get paid $13 an hour. That's going to end in my administration. That's a ridiculously low salary to pay federal firefighters," he said at the time.The sentiment was echoed by an administration official previewing Biden's plan on a call Tuesday night.
"The goal here this year, because we have had a very short runway in getting prepared, has been to find ways to address what we learned, which is that there is this challenge with respect to both recruitment and retention of firefighters that we need across the nation," the official said.The Biden White House is also announcing a series of actions to help fight fires and improve how the government responds in the short and long term.
Handsome_Ruler lol
Wait. What? Firefighters dont even make $15 an hour? What is wrong with this country?
Thank you President Biden you for looking out for our firefighters instead of criticizing them and belittling them. They’re hard workers putting their lives on the limb, every time they go to put out a fire.
Firemen deserve way more money and should never ever have to fight for an increase! What is the matter with our government?!?
Insane. Firefighters are priceless. They deserve so much more. What's wrong with the darn world?
Either way As a society we need to adjust our priorities and make sure, that the right people are being paid properly and accordingly I understand entertainment is important, but not enough to support such idiotic acts I don't support any media people The Wise_One A US Navy Vet
Australian firefighters get least a minimum of $50 per hour plus penalty’s!That $15 an hour is an insult!
First responders should live tax free.
That's sad that FF didn't make at least $15 in the first place. What is wrong with this country?
It should be 2x that least. 15.00/Hour ? Cmon Man !!! That's an insult to trained, educated people risking their life !!!
Pretty wild considering firefighters ACTUALLY save lives compared to police whose national average salary is $56,902 which breaks down to $27.35/hr. I guess the state really DOES care more about maintaining power than lives.
I'm sorry,.....but they should be making WAY more than that, to start with....😒🙄
Will the prison labor firefighters be similarly compensated or is that still conscript/ slave labor ?
stelenj Why would any one risk their life for $15 an hour. Firefighters deserve a living wage and benefits that match their importance.
Jesus christ what were they making?
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