r/Wildfire • u/smokejumperbro USFS • Feb 19 '25

News (General) Hiring freeze of firefighters could be deadly, Forest Service captain warns

https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/hiring-freeze-firefighters-deadly-forest-service-captain-warns-rcna192494

Great one!

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u/realityunderfire Feb 19 '25 edited Feb 19 '25

As I’ve been watching all this unfold for the past 29 days my main thought has been: this season is going to be dangerous. Especially if it’s an active season.

My prediction is massive lack of leadership presence Massive lack of funding for anything Massive shortage of work force

Any other predictions I missed?

-16

u/pessimist_and_proud Feb 19 '25

Who’s to say firefighting wont turn to the private sector? Supply and demand, no?

13

u/rockshox11 :hamster: Feb 19 '25

If you think every fed firefighter will go contract, you don't know firefighters. I don't know at what ratio feds will go contractor, sooner state and county once they realize they're on the hook for IA. It'll just defer the tax cost elsewhere. 

-6

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '25

I went private after 9 seasons. Full-time and they cover my health insurance. Much happier now

7

u/wubadubdub3 RTCM Feb 19 '25

Trolling i guess. Here is where they said they took the "Fork in the Road Payout" and are working with the feds until Feb 26th. Unless they started their contract job a week ago, they are lying.

1

u/TownshipRangeSection IED Hire Feb 19 '25

Nah, you work on a federal handcrew in SW Oregon