Brewer Bill Would Protect Members of the State Wildfire Team

(Boston) – The Massachusetts Senate recently voted in favor of a bill, filed by Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre), that would establish employment protections for public employees who are called up to serve on the State Wildfire Team.

Massachusetts Public Safety Officials have recently advised residents of an elevated wildfire threat across the state as a result of high temperatures, low humidity, and warm breezes.  The increased risk of Brush and Forest Fires is further exacerbated by the large amount of downed trees and brush in Central and Western Massachusetts as a result of last year’s F3 tornado that caused nearly 40 miles of damage. 

“This bill provides security for the essential personnel that make up the State Wildfire Team,” said Brewer.  “This week’s fire in Brimfield further demonstrates just how easy it is for these fires to start and to spread quickly.  As we enter the even dryer summer months, we need to make sure the people that are trained and certified to fight these forest fires are able to respond without fear of backlash from employers.”

The State Wildfire Team is made up of persons who are red-card certified, meaning they have completed rigorous training and coursework to educate them to properly fight forest fires.  The team operates under the umbrella of the federal government and has fought fires as far away as California and Wyoming.  The federal government reimburses the Commonwealth for all expenses, including salaries.

Under the provisions of the bill, public employees would be allowed to take a leave of absence, up to 21 days in a calendar year, from their jobs to serve on the State Wildfire Team.  The public employer would be able to choose whether to continue to pay employees taking leave.  Additionally, employees would still be required to provide advance notice, as well as their expected departure and return dates.

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security has warned that wildfires often begin unnoticed, but spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and homes.  There are three different classes of wild fires. A ‘surface fire’ is the most common type, burning along the forest floor, moving slowly and killing or damaging trees.  A ‘ground fire’, usually started by lightning, burns on or below the forest floor. ‘Crown fires’ spread rapidly by the wind, moving quickly by jumping along the treetops. Because 80% of forest fires are started by negligent human behavior, such as smoking in forested areas or improperly extinguishing campfires, most are preventable.

“An act relative to the State Wildfire Team”is currently before the House Committee on Ways and Means.

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Posted: Thu, Apr 5, 2012
Updated Thu, Apr 5, 2012