senator Adam SchiffD-Calif. , calling on multiple federal agencies to exempt federal seasonal firefighter President Donald Trump from executive orders that implement a federal recruitment freeze.
In a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of the Interior and the Office of Management and Budget, Schiff noted Trump recruitment freezes The January 20 release has stopped the induction of thousands of seasonal firefighters who could damage preparations for wildfires as Southern California is still struggling to cope with the consequences of last month’s wildfires.
“The memorandum issued on January 20 stipulates that it does not apply to positions related to public safety, but this delay in onboarding is directly opposite to that claim,” Schiff said in a letter Friday. “Our voters and The community relies on the hard work and sacrifices of our over 15,000 seasonal federal field firefighters every year.”
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Adam Schiff spoke to the media after a vote at the McCambridge Entertainment Center in Burbank on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. (Los Angeles Daily News/photo by SCNG Hans Gutknecht
“Seasonal firefighters are crucial to the public safety of those living in fire areas, and I’m shocked to say that federal firefighters are not a party of such exemptions,” he said. “In view of this, I ask your agency to provide information, explaining why the federal recruitment freeze has expanded to hiring seasonal Federal Wild Service firefighters.
Southern California was two last month Main wildfire Several smaller people killed nearly 30 people and destroyed more than 16,000 structures.
According to NBC News, some firefighters are subject to Trump orders that stopped the induction of thousands of seasonal federal firefighters from NBC News’ response to wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
A firefighter caught fire during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
A Land Administration official told the media that federal firefighters are not exempted while Trump’s order does not include recruiting positions related to “public safety” in the freeze.
“In the face of increasing destructive wildfires, we cannot reduce the tools to fight these fires,” Schiff said in the letter. “It has hindered the onboarding of federal firefighters and encouraged early retirement of others, threatening California’s firefighting capabilities,” Schiff said. , and puts the community at great risk. Californians rely on the support of federal firefighters, and I hope you have a significant role in these people who are keeping residents safe.”
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Vehicles and a house were burned, and powerful wind energy exacerbated devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area, forcing people to evacuate the Eaton fire in Altardna, California on January 8, 2025. (Reuters/David Swanson)
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The senators also asked about how recruitment freezes affect how federal fire applicants, the number of voluntary resignations, and the role of the government’s efficiency ministry in hiring, preparing or ready federal field firefighters.
