Gallego Supports Comprehensive Overhaul of Federal Wildland Firefighter Pay and Benefits

PHOENIX, AZ – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) announced his support for the Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Pay Parity and Classification Act (Tim’s Act). The legislation was introduced by Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02) and Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO).

“As Arizona’s wildfire seasons become longer and more intense, wildland firefighters have stepped up – putting themselves at risk to protect Arizona homes and communities,” said Rep. Gallego. “I’m proud to back Tim’s Act which will address the full range of federal firefighters’ needs.”

Tim’s Act would increase base pay, improve deployment pay, support enhanced pay management oversight, and ensure firefighters receive paid rest and recuperation leave. Tim's Act will also address wildland firefighter mental and physical health, and provide housing, retirement, and tuition assistance benefits.

"Tim's Act is the gold standard for federal wildland firefighter workforce reform. While the Wildland Firefighter Pay Protection Act is a needed and necessary step, Tim's Act is the holistic solution needed to ensure that federal wildland firefighters are able to be retained and recruited,” said Luke Mayfield, President of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters.

“Our Federal Wildland Firefighters put their lives on the line every time they report for duty. These men and women give everything they have to protect our communities and natural resources. Now it’s time for us to take care of them. The Tim Hart Act must be passed so these professional firefighters can live with dignity and continue to do this critical work for America,” said Maximo Alonzo with the National Federation of Federal Employees.

A summary of the legislation can be found here.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

Gallego is also a cosponsor of the Honoring our Fallen Heroes Act of 2023 (HONOR Act) to add a presumptive benefit under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program for exposure-related cancers that firefighters are more likely to suffer from because of their profession.

In May, he held a press conference with firefighters in Phoenix to discuss his work to support our nation’s first responders.