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Idaho's state-employed firefighters will receive hazard pay
KTVB, 3-24-22
Gov. Brad Little on Thursday signed into law a bill authorizing hazard pay for wildland firefighters during the time they're working in dangerous conditions.
House Bill 588 had broad support among Idaho lawmakers, winning unanimous approval Monday in the Senate, and passing in the House by a vote of 49-19-2 on Feb. 25. Now that the governor has signed it, it goes into effect immediately.
The Idaho Department of Lands put forward the legislation. In the bill's statement of purpose, Scott Phillips with the IDL said it will enable Idaho's wildland firefighters to receive competitive compensation on par with their peers employed by federal agencies and and other western states when working on an uncontrolled fire or at an active fire helibase.
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Gov. Little signs wildland firefighter hazard pay bill into law
KBOI2, 3-24-22
Gov. Brad Little signed a bill allowing wildland firefighters to receive hazard pay into law Thursday.
House Bill 588 authorizes wildland firefighters to get compensation on par with other states when working in dangerous conditions. The bill received broad support from Idaho lawmakers.
Proponents say the bill will better reward firefighters and increase worker retention.
Idaho Governor Brad Little Signs Wildland Firefighter Hazard Pay Bill into Law
Big Country News, 2-24-22
On Thursday, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 588 into law, authorizing wildland firefighters to receive hazard pay while working in dangerous conditions. This legislation underpins a movement to modernize the Department of Lands’ (IDL) wildfire management program.
The bill, which had broad support among Idaho’s policy makers, enables Idaho’s wildland firefighters to receive competitive compensation on par with their federal peers and other western states when working on an uncontrolled fire or at an active fire helibase.
“It’s important we lead the way in recruiting and keeping well-trained wildland firefighters,” Governor Little said. “It protects our communities, access to our forests, and our $2.4 billion forest products industry, a major driver for Idaho’s local and state economies.”
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Idaho Legislature signs hazard pay bill for wildland firefighters
KIVI, 3-24-22
Idaho Legislation has passed a bill that will provide hazard pay for all Idaho state wildland firefighters.
House Bill 588 will give Idaho wild land firefighters 25% above their hourly wage while working in dangerous conditions. The bills comes as local wild land firefighters prepare for wildfire season.
Idaho is currently in a drought causing wildfire season to start earlier and end later than usual.
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Governor Little signs firefighter hazard pay into law
KMVT, 3-24-22
Idaho Governor Brad Little signed into law a bill authorizing wildland firefighters to receive hazard pay while working dangerous conditions.
The bill already passed the Idaho Senate on Monday and enjoyed widespread support among lawmakers.
“It’s important we lead the way in recruiting and keeping well-trained wildland firefighters,” Governor Little said. “It protects our communities, access to our forests, and our $2.4 billion forest products industry, a major driver for Idaho’s local and state economies.”
Without the pay, 40% of wildland firefighters were not returning to the Idaho Department of Lands after two seasons on the job.
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Valley County applies to set aside 1,218 acres of state land
Star-News, 3-24-22
An application to conserve 1,218 acres of state land on both sides of Payette Lake has been submitted to the Idaho Department of Lands by Valley County.
About 1,051 acres are along Warren Wagon Road near McCall, while 167 acres are along Eastside Drive south of Lucks Point.
If approved by the state land board, the lease would prevent development on the lands, but still allow public access for camping, hiking, berry picking and other recreational activities.
The lands department could also earn money from additional leases on the lands for logging, recreation, grazing and other uses, under the proposal.
There is no timeline for the lands department to review and respond to the county’s application, IDL spokesperson Sharla Arledge said.
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State endowment lands near McCall explained
Star-News, 3-24-22
When Idaho became a state, Congress gave it lands to be managed for the sole purpose of funding a specified list of beneficiaries, primarily public schools. This mandate was written into the Idaho Constitution. The lands will be managed “…in such manner as will secure the maximum long-term financial return to the institution to which (it is) granted.”
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Hearing could come soon on dock application
Coeur d'Alene Press, 3-23-22
A decision on an application for a dock on Lake Coeur d'Alene near City Beach could come within five weeks.
A hearing by the Idaho Department of Lands was held March 10 for the proposal by Justin Sternberg to put in a dock that would extend about 75 feet beyond the ordinary high water mark.
The original application was filed Jan. 19 with the Idaho Department of Lands.
The city of Coeur d'Alene opposes the application. It said the dock would be inside the city’s designated swimming area in Lake Coeur d’Alene, which extends from the Independence Point steps to Hubbard Avenue at North Idaho College.
City officials said the dock would encourage boat traffic and endanger swimmers.
IDL also objected to the application.
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Hazard pay for Idaho wildland firefighters could help with recruiting efforts
KTVB, 3-22-22
They can't clock a regular 9 to 5 timecard - Monday through Friday - and expect the week to be over.
Wildland firefighting isn't like other jobs.
"I've put in 52-hour shifts before," Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) Fire Management Bureau Chief Josh Harvey said. "I'm not gonna say you're on call all the time, but when the phone rings, the expectation is you're gonna answer it and you're gonna respond."
Recruiting people to answer those calls is getting harder, according to Harvey. Partly because Idaho wildland firefighters currently make $12.55 per hour.
"People do have that choice. I can make 14 dollars an hour flipping burgers working a pretty set shift and not have to worry too much about getting burned up. If they got a little more of an adventurous side to them, those are the ones that come out and decide to fight fire," Harvey said. "But there's not as many as there used to be."
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Idaho governor and controller unveil centralized website for public meetings
Idaho Capital Sun, 3-22-22
Idaho Gov. Brad Little and State Controller Brandon Woolf announced a new state website Tuesday that will serve as a centralized spot for the public to access information about state public meetings.
Starting April 15, all state public agencies will post meeting notices, agendas and minutes at the new Townhall.Idaho.gov site, Little and Woolf said during a press conference at the Idaho State Capitol.
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Idaho wildland firefighter hazard pay plan heads to governor
Associated Press, 3-21-22
Legislation giving Idaho wildland firefighters hazard pay when confronting wildfires headed to the governor’s desk on Monday after it was unanimously approved in the state Senate.
State senators voted 35-0 for the bill that would give state-employed wildland firefighters hazard pay of up to 25% above their hourly wages. The bill to increase pay for Idaho Department of Lands wildland firefighters passed the House 49-19 last month.
The spokesperson for Republican Gov. Brad Little’s, Marissa Morrison, declined comment on whether he will sign the bill because the governor has a policy not to comment on pending legislation.
Supporters said the raises are needed to retain firefighters who get training from the state but leave to take better-paying firefighting jobs with other agencies that give hazard pay.
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Legislative Update Week 10
The News-Examiner, 3-21-22
This has been another busy week in the Idaho Senate. It is the time of the Session when we are in a hurry to finish up and most of the appropriations bills are heard and debated. The Joint Finance and Appropriation Committee (JFAC) puts these bills together and sends them to either the Senate Floor or the House Floor to be heard and debated. Some of these bills start in the Senate and others begin in the House.
I was able to sponsor and carry a significant piece of legislation this week that I have been working on for a couple of years now. Senate Bill 1372 (S1372) deals with the office of the Attorney General and the relationship that office has with the Department of Lands and the Idaho Land Board. It allows the Department of Lands to hire independent in-house legal counsel to represent the Department and the Land Board. Currently, the Attorney General and his deputies represent both the Department of Lands and the Idaho Land Board; and the Department of Lands works exclusively for the Idaho Land Board, of which the Attorney General is one of five members. This presents a potential conflict of interest as it gives the Attorney General an upper hand over the other four board members (the Governor, the Secretary of State, the State Controller, and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction). The Idaho Land Board’s only legal representation currently is provided by the Office of the Attorney General. This bill also allows new, in-house counsel to contract, if needed, with the Office of the Attorney General. Providing an independent in-house attorney should prevent any perceived or real conflicts of interest. S1372 passed the Senate with a 29-6 vote and was sent to the House.
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Idaho State Forestry Contest
Posted 3-24-2022
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The Idaho Department of Lands is excited to share the good news about the 2022 Idaho State Forestry Contest. The 39th Forestry Contest will be held the 12th of May in its traditional, large group format.
We have the details: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/.../idaho-state-forestry-contest/
#IdahoForestryContest
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Governor Signs Hazard Pay Legislation into Law
Posted 3-24-2022
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Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 588 today, authorizing wildland firefighters to receive hazard pay while working in dangerous conditions. This legislation underpins a movement to modernize the Department of Lands’ (IDL) wildfire management program.
The bill, which enjoyed broad support among Idaho’s policy makers, enables Idaho’s wildland firefighters to receive competitive compensation on par with their federal peers and other western states when working on an uncontrolled fire or at an active fire helibase. Sen. Jim Woodward and Rep. Sage Dixon carried the bill through their respective chambers in the legislature.
“It’s important we lead the way in recruiting and keeping well-trained wildland firefighters,” Governor Little said. “It protects our communities, access to our forests, and our $2.4 billion forest products industry, a major driver for Idaho’s local and state economies.”
Without the hazard pay, after just two seasons 40% of IDL wildland firefighters do not return to work for the agency. This high turnover rate, given training requirements, is costly and potentially dangerous. Individuals seeking careers in fire often use IDL to obtain certifications and experience, then move on to obtain permanent or higher paying jobs elsewhere.
“Fighting wildland fire is inherently dangerous work,” added Little. “Since the consequence for making a mistake can be serious injury or death, retaining experienced personnel is crucial for keeping all firefighters safe.”
In a recent survey 60% of IDL’s wildland firefighters who indicated they would not return to work for the agency in the next season stated if hazard pay was provided, they would stay on with IDL.
“Governor Little is leading Idaho to a new era of wildfire management,” said IDL Director Dustin Miller. “This bill, coupled with IDL's budget request, increases our firefighters' salary, fills a crucial part in modernizing fire program, and strengthens our ability to suppress wildfires quickly and safely.”
“Enacting hazard pay has been a team effort, led by Governor Little with strong support from the Land Board, Rep. Dixon, Sen. Woodward, industry stakeholders and many other legislators,” Miller added. “Providing hazard pay is a recognition of the threats our wildland firefighters face while working to suppress wildfires. It is also an important tool that helps IDL become the place where wildland firefighters want to make their permanent home, rather than a just a place to receive training before moving on.”
Those seeking employment as seasonal wildland firefighters are encouraged to apply by visiting www.idl.idaho.gov. Starting immediately, Idaho’s wildland firefighters are now eligible to receive hazard pay. New firefighters earn a starting wage of $15 per hour and are eligible for overtime.
#wildfire #Idaho #IdahoFireInfo
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