A bipartisan coalition of State Senators this week announced critical legislation to bolster CalFire’s firefighting and fire prevention efforts.
Eight of the most destructive wildfires in California history have hit this state over the past five years, with two of the deadliest wildfires recently burning over 16,000 homes and businesses in Los Angeles County just 13 days after Christmas.
The Fight for Firefighters Act proposes a much-needed modern day staffing plan, legislators said, at the cost of $175-$185 million per year ongoing.
Under the proposal, the state would phase out seasonal CalFire firefighters who work nine months out the year – typically laid off during the winter months – and transition these 3,000 firefighters to full-time status.
All 356 CalFire fire engines would be fully operational 365 days per year. This would give every corner of the state a needed shot in the arm when it comes to fire and emergency response.
All of CalFire’s 38 vegetation management crews would be fully operational all throughout the year. These vegetation management crews focus on fire prevention and develop fire breaks around neighborhoods, remove dead and dying trees, and create defensible space in cities and towns.
The Fight for Firefighters Act will also ensure all CalFire helicopter bases are fully staffed year-round.
“More aggressive fires, and an unrelenting year-round wildfire season, demands more aggressive responses,” said Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire. “Wildfires don’t take three months off. So, the elite CalFire firefighting force that is our first and last defense in protecting lives and homes across the state should be year-round too. This investment will make communities more wildfire safe and greatly improve fire and emergency response in every corner of California.”
McGuire pointed to the Fight for Firefighters Act as a tactical, commonsense approach to get more boots on the ground and to “make sure the people in those boots” have the backup and support they need to protect the state.
