June 23, 2022 3:00 a.m.

Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have welcomed Tuesday’s announcement from the Biden administration on its plans to increase federal wildland firefighter pay and establish a new occupational series for these firefighters as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

A release said following up on a letter they sent to the Office of Personnel Management last week, the senators have renewed their call for the administration to immediately implement these changes which they believe are one month overdue.

The senators also welcomed a new initiative by the Biden administration to establish a wildland firefighter health and wellbeing program to better support wildland firefighters.

The Biden plan is linked: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/21/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-new-pay-raises-supports-for-wildland-firefigh

A copy of the senator’s recent letter to the OPM is linked: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/OPM%20Letter%20on%20Firefighter%20Pay.pdf