,,ii  #aah? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #aeje  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,may #i1 #bjbc ,mr4    
,b5net introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0   
read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on  
,homel& ,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs
  ,a ,,bill  ,to re=m & enhance ! pay & 
b5efits ( ,f$]al wildl& firefight]s1 & =
 o!r purposes4  #a4 ,%ort title2        
def9itions  7a7 ,%ort title ,?is ,act   
may be cit$ z ! ,tim ,h>t ,wildl&       
,firefight] ,classification & ,pay      
,p>ity ,act or ,tim's ,act4  7b7        
,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act3  7#a7 ,director
 ,! t]m ,director means ! ,director ( ! 
,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t4  7#b7    
,f$]al wildl& firefight] ,! t]m ,f$]al  
wildl& firefight] means any tempor>y1   
seasonal1 or p]man5t position at !      
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture or ! ,dep>tm5t 
( ! ,int]ior1 & ,tribal ,firefight]s1 t 
ma9ta9s gr\p1 em]g5cy incid5t managem5t1
 or fire qualifications1 z e/abli%$     
annually by ! ,/&>ds = ,wildl& ,fire    
,position ,qualifications publi%$ by !  

,national ,wildfire ,coord9at+ ,gr\p1 & 
prim>ily engages 9 or supports wildl&   
fire managem5t activities1 includ+ =e/ry
 & rangel& te*nicians & positions       
conc]n+ aviation1 eng9e]+ heavy equipm5t
 op]ations1 dispat*1 or fire & fuels    
managem5t4  7#c7 ,secret>ies ,! t]m     
,secret>ies means ! ,secret>y (         
,agriculture & ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior4
  #b4 ,special base pay rates = wildl&  
firefight]s  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,title #e1    
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ 
aft] section #eccb ! foll[+3  #eccb;a4  
,special base rates ( pay = wildl&      
firefight]s  7a7 ,9 ?is section-- 7#a7 !
 t]m firefight] means an employee :o--  
7,a7 is a firefight] )9 ! mean+ (       
section #hcca7ba7 or section #hdja7ad72 
7,b7 9 ! case ( an employee :o holds a  
sup]visory or adm9i/rative position & is
 subject to sub*apt] ,,iii ( *apt] #hc1 
b :o does n qualify to be consid]$ a    
firefight] )9 ! mean+ ( section         
#hcca7ba71 w\ld o!rwise qualify if !    
employee _h transf]r$ directly to su*   

position aft] s]v+ z a firefight] )9 !  
mean+ ( t section2  7,c7 9 ! case ( an  
employee :o holds a sup]visory or       
adm9i/rative position & is subject to   
*apt] #hd1 b :o does n qualify to be    
consid]$ a firefight] )9 ! mean+ (      
section #hdja7ad71 w\ld o!rwise qualify 
if ! employee _h transf]r$ directly to  
su* position aft] p]=m+ duties describ$ 
9 section #hdja7ad77;,a7 = at lea/ #c   
ye>s2 &  7,d7 9 ! case ( an employee :o 
is n subject to sub*apt] ,,iii ( *apt]  
#hc or *apt] #hd1 holds a position t !  
,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t det]m9es  
w\ld satisfy subp>agraph 7,a71 7,b71 or 
7,c7 if ! employee 7 subject to sub*apt]
 ,,iii ( *apt] #hc or *apt] #hd2  7#b7 !
 t]m ,g5]al ,s*$ule base rate means an  
annual rate ( basic pay e/abli%$ "u     
section #eccb1 be=e any additions su* z 
a locality-bas$ comp>ability paym5t "u  
section #ecjd or #ecjd;a or a special   
rate supplem5t "u section #ecje2  7#c7 !
 t]m special base rate means an annual  
rate ( basic pay payable to a wildl&    

firefight]1 be=e any additions or       
r$uctions1 t replaces ! ,g5]al ,s*$ule  
base rate o!rwise applicable to ! wildl&
 firefight] & t is adm9i/]$ 9 ! same    
mann] z ,g5]al ,s*$ule base rates2 &    
7#d7 ! t]m wildl& firefight] means any  
tempor>y1 seasonal1 or p]man5t position 
at ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture or !      
,dep>tm5t ( ! ,int]ior1 or ,tribal      
,firefight]s1 t ma9ta9s gr\p1 em]g5cy   
incid5t managem5t1 or fire              
qualifications1 z e/abli%$ annually by !
 ,/&>ds = ,wildl& ,fire ,position       
,qualifications publi%$ by ! ,national  
,wildfire ,coord9at+ ,gr\p1 & prim>ily  
engages 9 or supports wildl& fire       
managem5t activities1 includ+ =e/ry &   
rangel& te*nicians & positions conc]n+  
aviation1 eng9e]+ heavy equipm5t        
op]ations1 dispat*1 tra9+1 developm5t & 
te*nology1 or fire & fuels managem5t4   
7b7 7#a7 ,not)/&+ section #eccb1 a      
wildl& firefight] is entitl$ to a       
special base rate ( pay at grades #a    
?r\gh #ae ( ! ,g5]al ,s*$ule1 z         

prescrib$ by ?is subsection4 ,?is       
special base rate %all replace ! o!rwise
 applicable ,g5]al ,s*$ule base rate &  
%all be basic pay = all purposes1       
includ+ ! purpose ( comput+ a           
locality-bas$ comp>ability paym5t "u    
section #ecjd or #ecjd;a4 ,su* special  
base rates %all be comput$ z describ$ 9 
p>agraphs 7#b7 & 7#c7 & adju/$ at ! "t (
 adju/m5ts 9 ! ,g5]al ,s*$ule4  7#b7 ,! 
m9imum rate ( basic pay = any wildl&    
firefight] 9 levels #a ?r\gh #e ( !     
,g5]al ,s*$ule %all-- 7,a7 be n less ?an
 ! rate ( pay = /ep #c ( ,,gs-#f1 z     
adju/$ by ! pay locality designat$ z    
,re/ ( ,u4,s4 "u section #ecjd2 &  7,b7 
n be great] ?an ! m9imum rate ( basic   
pay provid$ to ,,gs-#f "u p>agraph 7#c74
  7#c7 ,! special base rates = a wildl& 
firefight] 9 levels #f ?r\gh #ae ( !    
,g5]al ,s*$ule %all be d]iv$ by increas+
 ! o!rwise applicable ,g5]al ,s*$ule    
base rate on ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is    
,act by ! applicable p]c5tage = ! wildl&
 firefight]'s grade z %[n bel[ & r\nd+ !

 result to ! ne>e/ :ole doll>3  ,,gs-#f1
 #bg p]c5t4  ,,gs-#g1 #bd p]c5t4        
,,gs-#h1 #ba p]c5t4  ,,gs-#i1 #ah p]c5t4
  ,,gs-#aj1 #ae p]c5t4  ,,gs-#aa1 #ab   
p]c5t4  ,,gs-#ab1 #i p]c5t4  ,,gs-#ac1  
#f p]c5t4  ,,gs-#ad1 #c p]c5t4          
,,gs-#ae1 #a4e p]c5t4  7#d7 ,:5 !       
special base rate is express$ z an      
h\rly1 daily1 weekly1 or biweekly rate1 
! rate is comput$ f ! appropriate annual
 rate ( basic pay d]iv$ "u p>agraph 7#b7
 or 7#c7 9 accordance ) ! rules         
prescrib$ by section #eejd7;b74  4  7b7 
,effective date ,! am5dm5ts made by     
subsections 7a7 & 7d7 %all be effective 
on ! fir/ day ( ! fir/ applicable pay   
p]iod beg9n+ on or aft] ,octob] #a1     
#bjbc4  7c7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( 
sections = *apt] #ec ( title #e1 ,unit$ 
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! 
item relat+ to section #eccb ! foll[+3  
#eccb;a4 ,special base rates ( pay =    
wildl& firefight]s4  4  7d7 ,prevail+   
rate employees ,section #ecdc ( title   
#e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by    

add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7g7 ,= prevail+
 rate employees describ$ 9 section      
#ecdb7;a77#b77;,a7 :o qualify z a wildl&
 firefight] bas$ on ! def9itions (      
firefight] & wildl& firefight] 9 section
 #eccb;a7a71 ! ,secret>y ( ,agriculture 
or ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior 7z          
applicable7 %all increase ! wage rates (
 su* employees by am\nts 7det]m9$ at !  
sole & exclusive discretion ( !         
applicable ,secret>y aft] consultation )
 ! o!r ,secret>y7 t are g5]ally consi/5t
 ) ! p]c5tage increases giv5 to wildl&  
firefight]s 9 ! ,g5]al ,s*$ule "u       
section #eccb;a4 ,su* an increas$ wage  
rate %all be basic pay = ! same purposes
 z ! wage rate o!rwise e/abli%$ "u ?is  
section4 ,an increase "u ?is subsection 
may n cause an employee's wage rate to  
increase beyond a rate t w\ld produce an
 annualiz$ rate 9 excess ( ! annual rate
 = level ,,iv ( ! ,executive ,s*$ule4  4
  #c4 ,wildl& fire incid5t /&by premium 
pay  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,title #e1 ,unit$     
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft]   

section #eede;b ! foll[+3  #eede;c4     
,incid5t /&by premium pay = employees   
engag$ 9 wildl& firefight+  7a7 ,9 ?is  
section-- 7#a7 ! t]m cov]$ employee     
means an employee ( ! ,=e/ ,s]vice or ! 
,dep>tm5t ( ! ,int]ior :o--  7,a7       
qualifies z a wildl& firefight] bas$ on 
! def9itions ( firefight] & wildl&      
firefight] 9 section #eccb;a7a72 or     
7,b7 is c]tifi$ by ! applicable ag5cy to
 p]=m wildl& fire incid5t relat$ duties 
dur+ ! p]iod su* employee is assign$ to 
a qualify+ incid5t2  7#b7 ! t]m         
designat$ sleep & re/ p]iod means ! h\rs
 dur+ an incid5t deploym5t t a cov]$    
employee is deem$ to be 9 sleep or re/  
/atus = pay computation purposes1       
reg>dless ( actual h\rs sp5t 9 t /atus2 
7#c7 ! t]m incid5t /&by premium pay     
means pay to :i* a cov]$ employee is    
entitl$ "u subsection 7c72  7#d7 ! t]m  
prescrib$ fire incid5t means a wildl&   
fire orig9at+ f a plann$ ignition 9     
accordance ) applicable laws1 policies1 
& regulations to meet specific          

objectives2  7#e7 ! t]m qualify+ incid5t
 means a wildfire incid5t1 a prescrib$  
fire incid5t1 or a sev]ity incid5t1 b   
excludes an initial response incid5t    
involv+ a s+le op]ational p]iod ( less  
?an #cf h\rs 7unless a long] p]iod is   
approv$ by an au?oriz$ ag5cy (ficial due
 to exceptional circum/ances7 if !      
employee is 9 cont9ual "w /atus ) no    
designat$ sleep & re/ p]iod e/abli%$ by 
! ag5cy2  7#f7 ! t]m sev]ity incid5t    
means an incid5t 9 :i* a cov]$ employee 
is pre-position$ 9 an area :]e          
conditions indicate !re is a high risk (
 wildfires2 &  7#g7 ! t]m wildfire      
incid5t means a wildl& fire orig9at+ f  
an unplann$ ignition1 su* z lightn+1    
volcanos1 unau?oriz$ & accid5tal        
human-caus$ fires1 & prescrib$ fires t  
are decl>$ wildfires4  7b7 ,a cov]$     
employee is eligible = incid5t /&by     
premium pay "u ?is section :5 meet+ all 
( ! foll[+ conditions3 7#a7 ,! employee 
is deploy$ to ! field by ! employ+ ag5cy
 to respond to a qualify+ incid5t4  7#b7

 ,! employee is plac$ by ! employ+ ag5cy
 9 cont9u\s duty /atus dur+ ! incid5t   
deploym5t4  7#c7 ,any p]iods ( sleep+ & 
re/+ occur 9 a field location associat$ 
) ! duty assignm5t4  7c7 ,a cov]$       
employee :o meets ! conditions 9        
subsection 7b7 is entitl$ to incid5t    
/&by premium pay = designat$ sleep & re/
 p]iods1 & su* pay %all be ! only       
comp5sation payable to ! employee = ^?  
p]iods1 not)/&+ any o!r law4 ,su*       
premium pay %all be paid at an h\rly    
rate equal to #ej p]c5t ( ! employee's  
h\rly rate ( basic pay1 r\nd$ to ! ne>e/
 :ole c5t4 ,9 det]m9+ an employee's     
m9imum wage & ov]time pay entitlem5ts "u
 ! ,fair ,labor ,/&>ds ,act1 incid5t    
/&by premium pay & associat$ h\rs %all  
be disreg>d$4  7d7 ,a cov]$ employee's  
designat$ sleep & re/ p]iods %all be    
fix$ at #i h\rs = e #bd-;h\r duty p]iod 
associat$ ) a qualify+ incid5t1 includ+ 
necess>y travel "t4 ,if ! h\rs ( an     
incid5t deploym5t are n an exact        
multiple ( #bd-;h\r p]iods1 ! ratio (   

#i_/bd %all be multipli$ by h\rs = !    
less-?an-#bd-;h\rs p]iod ( duty to d]ive
 ! designat$ sleep & re/ p]iod = t duty 
p]iod1 ) ! result r\nd$ to ! ne>e/      
fractional increm5t e/abli%$ by ! ag5cy 
9 track+ h\rs ( "w4  7e7 ,incid5t /&by  
premium pay "u ?is section-- 7#a7 is n  
consid]$ "p ( ! basic pay ( an employee 
= any purpose2  7#b7 may n be consid]$ 9
 det]m9+ an employee's lump-sum paym5t =
 accumulat$ & accru$ annual leave "u    
section #eeea or section #eeeb2  7#c7   
may n be us$ 9 det]m9+ pay "u section   
#haad 7relat$ to work]s' comp5sation72 &
  7#d7 may n be consid]$ 9 det]m9+ pay =
 h\rs ( paid leave or o!r paid "t (f    
dur+ :i* ! premium pay is n payable4  4 
7b7 ,o!r employees ,title #e1 ,unit$    
,/ates ,code1 is fur!r am5d$--  7#a7 9  
section #eedd1 by-- 7,a7 add+ ! foll[+3 
7d7 ,a prevail+ rate employee describ$ 9
 section #ecdb7;a77#b77;a7 %all receive 
incid5t /&by premium pay "u ! same t]ms 
& conditions t apply to a cov]$ employee
 "u section #eede;c if su* employee is  

employ$ by ! ,=e/ ,s]vice or ! ,dep>tm5t
 ( ! ,int]ior &-- 7#a7 qualifies z a    
wildl& firefight] bas$ on ! def9itions (
 firefight] & wildl& firefight] 9       
section #eccb;a7a72 or  7#b7 is c]tifi$ 
by ! applicable ag5cy to p]=m wildl&    
fire incid5t relat$ duties dur+ ! p]iod 
su* employee is assign$ to a qualify+   
incid5t 7z def9$ 9 section              
#eede;c7a77#e774  2 &  7,b7 am5d+ !     
section head+ to read3 ,wage-bo>d       
ov]time1 ,sunday rates1 & o!r premium   
pay2  7#b7 9 section #eede1 by add+ at !
 end ! foll[+3  7e7 ,= an employee ( !  
,=e/ ,s]vice or ! ,dep>tm5t ( ! ,int]ior
 :o is tempor>ily deploy$ to p]=m wildl&
 fire incid5t relat$ duties1 subsection 
7c77#b7 %all n apply to h\rs dur+ su*   
tempor>y deploym5t not)/&+ any o!r      
provision ( law4  2  7#c7 9 section     
#eede;a1 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7l7
 ,= an employee ( ! ,=e/ ,s]vice or !   
,dep>tm5t ( ! ,int]ior :o is tempor>ily 
deploy$ to p]=m wildl& fire incid5t     
relat$ duties1 subsection 7c77#b7 %all n

 apply to h\rs dur+ su* tempor>y        
deploym5t not)/&+ any o!r provision (   
law4  2 &  7#d7 9 section #eedg7;a71 by 
ins]t+ #eede;c1 aft] #eede;a14  7c7     
,effective date ,! am5dm5ts made by ?is 
section %all be effective on ! fir/ day 
( ! fir/ applicable pay p]iod beg9n+ on 
or aft] ,octob] #a1 #bjbc4  7d7 ,cl]ical
 am5dm5ts ,! table ( sections = *apt]   
#ee ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is 
am5d$ by-- 7#a7 am5d+ ! item relat+ to  
section #eedd to read z foll[s3  #eedd4 
,wage-bo>d ov]time1 ,sunday rates1 & o!r
 premium pay4  2  &  7#b7 ins]t+ aft] ! 
item relat+ to section #eede;b ! foll[+ 
new item3  #eede;c4 ,incid5t /&by       
premium pay = employees engag$ 9 wildl& 
firefight+4  4  #d4 ,special limitations
 on pay = wildl& firefight]s  7a7 ,9    
g5]al ,title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is
 am5d$--  7#a7 by ins]t+ aft] section   
#eedg ! foll[+3  #eedg;a4 ,special      
limitations on premium pay = employees  
engag$ 9 wildl& firefight+  7a7 ,9 ?is  
section--  7#a7 ! t]m cov]$ employee    

means an employee ( ! ,=e/ ,s]vice or ! 
,dep>tm5t ( ! ,int]ior :o-- 7,a7        
qualifies z a wildl& firefight] bas$ on 
! def9itions ( firefight] & wildl&      
firefight] 9 section #eccb;a7a72 or     
7,b7 is c]tifi$ by ! applicable ag5cy to
 p]=m wildl& fire incid5t relat$ duties 
dur+ ! p]iod su* employee is assign$ to 
a qualify+ incid5t2  7#b7 ! t]m cov]$   
s]vices means s]vices p]=m$ by an       
employee t are det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y ( 
! ,int]ior or ! ,secret>y (             
,agriculture1 z applicable1 to prim>ily 
involve em]g5cy wildfire suppression    
activities1 includ+ any p]iods ( duty :5
 ! employee is sleep+ or re/+ dur+ an   
ext5d$ p]iod ( deploym5t to engage 9 ^? 
activities2  7#c7 ! t]m em]g5cy wildl&  
fire suppression activities means       
initial-response & ext5d$-response      
activities t directly relate to         
suppression ( a wildfire1 includ+       
activities associat$ ) a sev]ity incid5t
 b exclud+ activities associat$ ) a     
prescrib$ fire incid5t 7z ^? t]ms are   

def9$ section #eede;c72 &  7#d7 ! t]m   
premium pay means ! premium pay paid "u 
! provisions ( law cit$ 9 section       
#eedg7;a71 except z o!rwise provid$ 9   
subsection 7h74  7b7 ,any premium pay   
e>n$ by a cov]$ employee = cov]$ s]vices
 %all be disreg>d$ 9 calculat+ !        
aggregate ( su* employee's basic pay &  
premium pay = purposes ( apply+ a       
limitation "u section #eedg4  7c7 ,any  
premium pay t is disreg>d$ "u subsection
 7b7 %all be disreg>d$ 9 calculat+ su*  
employee's aggregate pay = purposes (   
apply+ ! limitation 9 section #ecjg4    
7d7 ,pay t is disreg>d$ "u subsection   
7b7 may n be paid to ! ext5t x w\ld     
cause ! aggregate ( ! employee's basic  
pay1 premium pay1 & haz>d pay "u section
 #eede7;d7 payable 9 ! applicable cal5d>
 ye> to exce$ ! rate ( basic pay payable
 = a position at level ,,ii ( !         
,executive ,s*$ule "u section #ecac1 z 9
 effect at ! end ( su* cal5d> ye>4 ,any 
premium pay t is subject to a biweekly  
limitation "u section #eedg7;c7 mu/ be  

paid fir/ be=e o!r premium pay 9 apply+ 
! level ,,ii limitation4  7e7           
,application ( ! limit 9 subsection 7d7 
or subsection 7h7 to a cov]$ employee   
may be waiv$ at ! sole & exclusive      
discretion ( ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior or
 ! ,secret>y ( ,agriculture1 z          
applicable4 ,be=e au?oriz+ su* a waiv] =
 employees ( _! respective ag5cies1 ea* 
,secret>y1 aft] consult+ ) ! o!r        
,secret>y1 %all prescribe crit]ia t w be
 appli$ 9 mak+ a det]m9ation to grant a 
waiv]4  7f7 ,any additional pay result+ 
f application ( ?is section may n be us$
 9 comput+ a lump-sum paym5t =          
accumulat$ & accru$ annual leave "u     
section #eeea or section #eeeb4  7g7 ,! 
,dep>tm5ts ( ! ,int]ior & ,agriculture  
%all ma9ta9 records t docum5t uses ( !  
au?ority provid$ by ?is section4  7h7   
7#a7 ,= prevail+ rate employees describ$
 9 section #ecdb7;a77#b77;,a7 :o meet ! 
requirem5ts 9 subsection 7a77l7 to      
qualify z a cov]$ employee1 premium pay 
may n be paid to ! ext5t x w\ld cause ! 

aggregate ( ! employee's basic pay &    
premium pay 9 ! applicable cal5d> ye> to
 exce$ ! rate ( basic pay payable = a   
position at level ,,ii ( ! ,executive   
,s*$ule "u section #ecac1 z 9 effect at 
! end ( su* cal5d> ye>4  7#b7 ,= !      
purposes ( ?is subsection1 ! t]m basic  
pay means wages1 environm5tal diff]5tial
 pay1 & night %ift diff]5tial pay1 & !  
t]m premium pay means ov]time pay1      
,sunday premium pay1 & holiday premium  
pay4  2 &  7#b7 9 section #eeda7b77xi71 
by ins]t+ 1 section #eedg;a7h71 aft]    
section #eedd4  7b7 ,cal5d> ye> #bjbc ,=
 ! purpose ( apply+ section #eedg &     
section #agja ( division ,b ( ,public   
,law #aag-dc 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 #eedg note7 9
 cal5d> ye> #bjbc1 incid5t /&by premium 
pay %all be includ$ 9 premium pay t is  
subject to ! limits e/abli%$ 9 ^?       
sections4  7c7 ,effective date ,!       
am5dm5ts made by subsection 7a7 %all    
take effect on ! fir/ day ( ! fir/ pay  
p]iod t has a paym5t date 9 ,janu>y     
#bjbd4 ,subsection 7b7 %all be effective

 on ! fir/ day ( ! fir/ applicable pay  
p]iod beg9n+ on or aft] ,octob] #a1     
#bjbc4  7d7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( 
sections = *apt] #ee ( title #e1 ,unit$ 
,/ates ,code1 is fur!r am5d$ by ins]t+  
aft] ! item = section #eedg ! foll[+ new
 item3  #eedg;a4 ,special limitations on
 premium pay = employees engag$ 9 wildl&
 firefight+4  4  #e4 ,re/ & recup]ation 
leave = employees engag$ 9 wildl&       
firefight+  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,title #e1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ 
aft] section #fcbi;d ! foll[+3  #fcbi;e4
 ,re/ & recup]ation leave = employees   
engag$ 9 wildl& firefight+  7a7 ,9 ?is  
section--  7#a7 ! t]m applicable        
,secret>y means ! ,secret>y (           
,agriculture or ! ,secret>y ( !         
,int]ior2  7#b7 ! t]m cov]$ employee    
means an employee ( ! ,=e/ ,s]vice or ! 
,dep>tm5t ( ! ,int]ior :o--  7,a7       
qualifies z a wildl& firefight] bas$ on 
! def9itions ( firefight] & wildl&      
firefight] 9 section #eccb;a7a7 7apply+ 
! def9ition ( employee 9 section        

#fcja7b7 9 lieu ( ! def9ition ( employee
 9 section #ecca7;a772 or  7,b7 is      
c]tifi$ by ! applicable ag5cy to p]=m   
wildl& fire incid5t relat$ duties dw+ ! 
p]iod su* employee is assign$ to a      
qualify+ incid5t2 &  7#c7 ! t]m qualify+
 incid5t has ! mean+ giv5 t t]m 9       
section #eede;c7a77#e74  7b7 ,a cov]$   
employee may receive paid re/ &         
recup]ation leave foll[+ ! completion ( 
s]vice "u a qualify+ incid5t1 subject to
 policies e/abli%$ at ! sole & exclusive
 discretion ( ! ,secret>y ( !           
,agriculture or ! ,secret>y ( !         
,int]ior1 z applicable4 ,ea* ,secret>y  
%all prescribe su* policies aft]        
consult+ ) ! o!r ,secret>y4  7c7 ,re/ & 
recup]ation leave grant$ "u ?is section 
%all be us$ dur+ s*$ul$ h\rs )9 ! cov]$ 
employee's t\r ( duty e/abli%$ =        
leave-*>g+ purposes & %all be paid 9 !  
same mann] z annual leave4 ,re/ &       
recup]ation leave mu/ be us$ imm$iately 
aft] a qualify+ incid5t & may n be set  
aside = lat] use4 ,a cov]$ employee may 

n receive any paym5t = unus$ re/ &      
recup]ation leave4  7d7 ,a cov]$        
employee ) an int]mitt5t "w s*$ule %all 
be excus$ f duty dur+ ! same p]iod ( "t 
t o!r cov]$ employees 9 ! same          
circum/ances are entitl$ to re/ &       
recup]ation leave & %all receive a      
paym5t z if ! cov]$ employee ) an       
int]mitt5t "w s*$ule 7 entitl$ to re/ & 
recup]ation leave "u subsections 7b7 &  
7c74  4  7b7 ,effective date ,! am5dm5ts
 made by subsection 7a7 %all be         
effective on ! fir/ day ( ! fir/        
applicable pay p]iod beg9n+ on or aft]  
,octob] #a1 #bjbc4  7c7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t
 ,! table ( sections = sub*apt] ,,ii (  
*apt] #fc ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates     
,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item   
relat+ to section #fcbi;d ! foll[+ new  
item3  #fcbi;e4 ,re/ & recup]ation leave
 = employees engag$ 9 wildl& firefight+4
  4  #f4 ,heal? provisions  7a7         
,database2 recomm5dations ,n lat] ?an "o
 ye> aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 
! ,secret>ies %all-- 7#a7 e/abli% &     

ma9ta9 a publicly accessible1 se>*able  
database on a website1 to be call$ !    
,f$]al ,wildl& ,firefight] ,canc] &     
,c>diovascul> ,disease ,database1 to    
track *ronic disease caus$ by on-!-job  
environm5tal exposure ov] ! lifetimes ( 
curr5t & =m] ,f$]al wildl& firefight]s2 
7#b7 update su* database n less ?an on a
 ye>ly basis2 &  7#c7 develop & adh]e to
 recomm5dations on mitigation /rategies 
to m9imize exposure to environm5tal     
haz>ds = ,f$]al wildl& firefight]s4  7b7
 ,m5tal heal?  7#a7 ,m5tal heal? program
 ,n lat] ?an ,janu>y #a1 #bjbd1 !       
,secret>ies %all e/abli% & c>ry out a   
program = ,f$]al wildl& firefight]s =   
m5tal heal? aw>5ess & support4 ,su*     
program %all include ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,a  
m5tal heal? aw>5ess campaign4  7,b7 ,a  
m5tal heal? education & tra9+ program t 
includes an on-bo>d+ curriculum4  7,c7  
,an ext5sive pe]-to-pe] m5tal heal?     
support network = ,f$]al wildl&         
firefight]s & _! imm$iate family4  7,d7 
,expansion ( ! ,critical ,incid5t ,/ress

 ,managem5t ,program1 to develop & reta9
 a l>g] pool ( qualifi$ m5tal heal?     
pr(essionals :o are famili> ) !         
exp]i5ces ( ! em]g5cy response work=ce4 
,! ,program %all monitor & track m5tal  
heal? 9 ! pr(ession to bett] und]/& !   
scope ( ! issue & provide ongo+         
assi/ance & pr(essional long t]m c>e to 
pati5ts4  7,e7 ,e/abli% & c>ry out a new
 & di/9ct m5tal heal? support s]vice    
specific to ,f$]al wildl& firefight]s & 
_! imm$iate family1 ) culturally        
relevant & trauma in=m$ m5tal heal?     
pr(essionals :o are readily available1 &
 n subject to any limit on ! numb] (    
sessions or s]vice provid$4  7#b7 ,m5tal
 heal? leave ,ea* ,f$]al wildl&         
firefight] %all be entitl$ to #g        
consecutive days ( leave1 )\t loss or   
r$uction 9 pay1 dur+ any cal5d> ye>4    
,leave provid$ "u ?is p>agraph %all n-- 
7,a7 accumulate = use 9 succe$+ ye>s2 & 
7,b7 be consid]$ to be annual or        
vacation leave = purposes ( section     
#eeea or #eeeb ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates

 ,code1 or = any o!r purpose4  7c7      
,coord9ation ,9 c>ry+ out subsections   
7a7 & 7b71 ! ,secret>ies may ent] into  
p>tn]%ips or coop]ative agreem5ts ) o!r 
,f$]al ag5cies1 univ]sities1 or         
non-pr(it in/itutions4  7d7 ,,owcp ,!   
,(fice ( ,work]s' ,comp5sation ,programs
 )9 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,labor %all-- 7#a7    
recognize po/-traumatic /ress disord] & 
psy*ological /ress-relat$ injuries or   
illnesses correlat$ to fire protection1 
suppression1 & incid5t support          
activities1 & ensure long t]m cov]age = 
! duration ( ! illnesses2 &  7#b7 exp& !
 ,special ,claims ,unit to ensure       
adequate unit /aff+ levels are suffici5t
 to exp$ite ! claims process & %ort5    
response times to wildl& firefight] &   
incid5t support p]sonnel injur$ or      
effect$ on ! job 9 ord] to alleviate !  
psy*ological & f9ancial burd5s plac$ on 
! pati5t & _! families4  #g4 ,retirem5t 
= firefight]s  7a7 ,deposit s]vice      
,not)/&+ any o!r provision ( law1 any   
s]vice p]=m$ by an individual z a ,f$]al

 wildl& firefight] on or aft] ,janu>y   
#a1 #aihi1 = :i* retirem5t d$uctions "u 
*apt] #hd ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates     
,code1 h n be5 made %all be cr$itable "u
 su* *apt]1 b only if su* firefight]--  
7#a7 submits a writt5 election to !     
,director2 &  7#b7 ! deposit requirem5ts
 ( section #hdaa7;f7 ( su* title _h be5 
met ) respect to su* s]vice4  7b7       
,disability annuity ,beg9n+ on ! date ( 
enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 any ,f$]al wildl&  
firefight] :o suff]s f a disease        
describ$ 9 section #hadc;b7b77#b7 (     
title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 due to   
environm5tal job-relat$ exposure1       
includ+ smoke inhalation1 silicate      
inhalation1 & firefight+ toxic exposure1
 %all be consid]$ to be disabl$ =       
purposes ( section #hdea ( su* title4   
,su* section #hdea %all be appli$ to any
 su* firefight] by sub/itut+ #ab mon?s =
 #ah mon?s4  7c7 ,includ+ ov]time z     
basic pay ,section #hcca7c7 ( title #e1 
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$--  7#a7 9 
subp>agraph 7,h71 by /rik+ & at ! end2  

7#b7 9 subp>agraph 7,i71 by ins]t+ &    
aft] ! semicolon2  7#c7 by ins]t+ aft]  
subp>agraph 7,i7 ! foll[+3  7,j7 )      
respect to a ,f$]al wildl& firefight] 7z
 t t]m is def9$ 9 section #a7;b7 ( !    
,tim ,h>t ,wildl& ,firefight]           
,classification & ,pay ,p>ity ,act71    
ov]time pay receiv$ on or aft] ! date ( 
enactm5t ( ?is subp>agraph2  2 &  7#d7 9
 ! undesignat$ matt] foll[+ subp>agraph 
7,j7 7z add$ by p>agraph 7#c771 by /rik+
 subp>agraphs 7,b7 ?r\gh 7,i7 ( ?is     
p>agraph & ins]t+ subp>agraphs 7,b7     
?r\gh 7,j7 ( ?is p>agraph14  7d7        
,sep>ate normal-,co/ p]c5tage ,section  
#hdbc7;a77#a77;,b77i7 ( title #e1 ,unit$
 ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft]  
firefight]s1 ! foll[+3 ,f$]al wildl&    
firefight] 7z t t]m is def9$ 9 section  
#a ( ! ,tim ,h>t ,wildl& ,firefight]    
,classification & ,pay ,p>ity ,act714   
#h4 ,pay p>ity = ,f$]al /ructural       
firefight]s  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #a
 ye> aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 
any pay1 b5efits1 & bonuses provid$ to  

any ,f$]al /ructural firefight] %all be 
comp>able ) ! pay1 b5efits1 & bonuses   
provid$ = ,f$]al wildl& firefight]s "u  
?is ,act & ! am5dm5ts made by ?is ,act4 
,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] ! date ! pay    
scale is e/abli%$ "u section #eccb;a (  
title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$ by
 section #b ( ?is ,act1 ! ,director %all
 submit a report to ,congress on :e!r   
pay = su* ,f$]al /ructural firefight]s  
is competitive ) ,f$]al wildl&          
firefight]s4  7b7 ,f$]al /ructural      
firefight] def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m  
,f$]al /ructural firefight]--  7#a7 has 
! mean+ giv5 ! t]m firefight] 9 section 
#hdja ( *apt] #hd ( title #e1 ,unit$    
,/ates ,code2 &  7#b7 does n include any
 ,f$]al wildl& firefight]4  #i4 ,o!r    
matt]s  7a7 ,annual adju/m5ts ,not)/&+  
any o!r provision ( law1 beg9n+ 9 ! fir/
 pay p]iod beg9n+ on or aft] ! date t ! 
pay scale is e/abli%$ "u section #eccb;a
 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$
 by section #b ( ?is ,act1 & annually   
!reaft]1 ! basic rate ( pay = ea* ,f$]al

 wildl& firefight] occupy+ a position )9
 su* pay scale %all be increas$ by n    
less ?an ! p]c5tage equal to ! p]c5t    
*ange 9 ! ,consum] ,price ,index 7all   
items--,unit$ ,/ates city av]age71      
publi%$ mon?ly by ! ,bureau ( ,labor    
,/ati/ics1 = ,decemb] ( ! prec$+ ye> ov]
 su* ,consum] ,price ,index = ! ,decemb]
 ( ! ye> prior to ! prec$+ ye>1 adju/$  
to ! ne>e/ "o-t5? ( #a p]c5t4  7b7      
,comp5sation comp>able to non-,f$]al    
firefight]s ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] !   
date ! pay scale is e/abli%$ "u section 
#eccb;a ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1
 z add$ by section #b ( ?is ,act1 !     
,secret>ies %all submit a report to     
,congress on :e!r pay1 b5efits1 &       
bonuses provid$ to ,f$]al wildl&        
firefight]s are comp>able to ! pay1     
b5efits1 & bonuses provid$ = non-,f$]al 
firefight]s 9 ! ,/ate or locality :]e   
,f$]al wildl& firefight]s are bas$4  7c7
 ,haz>d\s duty pay ,ea* ,f$]al wildl&   
firefight] c>ry+ out "w complet$ dur+   
prescrib$ fire1 p>a*ut+1 tree climb+ ov]

 #bj feet1 haz>d tree removal1 & o!r    
haz>d\s "w z id5tifi$ by ! ,secret>ies1 
%all be entitl$ to be paid ! appropriate
 diff]5tial "u section #eede7;d7 ( title
 #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z if su*      
employee 0 cov]$ by su* section4 ,!     
,director may prescribe regulations to  
c>ry out ?is subsection4  7d7 ,o!r      
matt]s  7#a7 ,unpaid leave to c>e =     
family memb] ,a ,f$]al wildl& firefight]
 n cov]$ by ! ,family & ,m$ical ,leave  
,act ( #aiic or sub*apt] ,v ( *apt] #fc 
( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 %all be
 all[$ a p]iod ( unpaid leave1 dur+ ea* 
cal5d> ye>1 n to exce$ #ahj days 9 ord] 
to c>e = ! sp\se1 or a son1 daught]1 or 
p>5t1 ( ! employee1 if su* sp\se1 son1  
daught]1 or p>5t has a s]i\s heal?      
condition4 ,leave provid$ "u ?is        
p>agraph %all n accumulate = use 9      
subsequ5t ye>s4  7#b7 ,recruitm5t &     
ret5tion bonus ,9 ord] to promote !     
recruitm5t & ret5tion ( ,f$]al wildl&   
firefight]s1 ! ,director1 9 coord9ation 
) ! ,secret>ies1 %all e/abli% a program 

"u :i* a recruitm5t or ret5tion bonus ( 
n less ?an #a1jjj may be paid to a      
,f$]al wildl& firefight] 9 an am\nt z   
det]m9$ appropriate by ! ,director & !  
,secret>ies4 ,! m9imum am\nt ( su* bonus
 9 ! previ\s s5t5ce %all be increas$ ea*
 ye> by ! ,consum] ,price ,index 9 !    
mann] prescrib$ "u subsection 7a74 ,any 
bonus "u ?is subsection-- 7,a7 %all be  
paid to any prim>y or second>y ,f$]al   
wildl& firefight] ^u ! date t su*       
firefight] successfully completes a "w  
capacity te/2 &  7,b7 may n be paid to  
any su* firefight] m ?an once p] cal5d> 
ye>4  7#c7 ,h\s+ all[ance ,!            
,secret>ies1 if ! ,secret>ies are n     
already provid+ reasonable h\s+         
accommodations1 %all provide a h\s+     
all[ance to any ,f$]al wildl& firefight]
 deploy$ to a location m ?an #ej miles f
 _! prim>y resid5ce4 ,su* all[ance %all 
be 9 an am\nt det]m9$ appropriate by !  
,secret>ies & adju/$ bas$ on ! co/ (    
h\s+ 9 ! area ( deploym5t4  7#d7 ,c>e]  
transition  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an "o

 ye> aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 
! ,secret>ies %all e/abli%1 ma9ta91     
coord9ate1 & op]ate a volunt>y tuition  
assi/ance program = ,f$]al wildl&       
firefight]s occupy+ a p]man5t position t
 encompass a broad range ( educational  
exp]i5ces 7ei!r 9-p]son or ?r\gh        
di/ance-le>n+71 includ+ academic skills 
developm5t1 vocational programs1 c>e] & 
te*nical programs1 & programs lead+ to !
 aw>d ( und]graduate & graduate degrees4
  7,b7 ,am\nt ,! program "u subp>agraph 
7,a7 %all provide1 n m ?an once dur+ ea*
 cal5d> ye>1 a paym5t ( n less ?an      
#d1jjj to ea* ,f$]al wildl& firefight]  
:o elects to p>ticipate 9 ! program4    
7,c7 ,review ,! ,secret>ies %all conduct
 an annual review ( :e!r ! am\nt provid$
 "u subp>agraph 7,b7 is adequate1 9     
consid]ation ( inflation & o!r effects4