Support our Firefighters Act

Progress

Timeline

• Mar 26Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Summary

**What it does:** This bill would create a new type of paid leave called "rest and recuperation leave" specifically for federal employees who fight wildfires. **Who it affects:** Federal wildland firefighters - these are government employees who work for agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management to combat forest fires and other wildland fires. **What would change:** Currently, wildland firefighters work extremely long shifts (often 12-16 hours) for weeks at a time during fire season, with limited time off. This bill would give them additional paid leave beyond regular vacation time to recover from the physical and mental demands of firefighting work. This could help reduce burnout, improve firefighter health and safety, and potentially help with recruitment and retention in these challenging but essential positions. The bill is currently in committee, meaning Congress is still reviewing and potentially modifying it before any vote.

How This Affects You