Federal Wildland Firefighter Recognition Act

To implement reforms to the Federal land management agency fire programs in order to address the complexities of 21st century wildfires in a more cost-effective and efficient manner. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Federal Wildland Firefighter Recognition Act 2. Definitions For the purposes of this Act— (1) the term wildland firefighter (2) the term Federal land management agency (A) within the Department of the Interior: the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Park Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service; and (B) within the Department of Agriculture: the Forest Service; and (3) the term employee 3. Classification of wildland firefighters (a) Requirements (1) In general Within 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Office of Personnel Management in the administration of chapter 51 (2) Designation The Office of Personnel Management shall ensure that the official title assigned to any occupational series established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include wildland firefighter (3) Positions described Paragraph (1) applies with respect to any class or other category of positions that consists primarily or exclusively of forestry technician positions, range technician positions, or any other positions the duties and responsibilities of which include— (A) significant wildfire preparedness, suppression, and hazardous fuels reduction activities; or (B) activities necessary to meet any other emergency incident to which such employee may be assigned. (4) Requirements Section 5545(d)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking all after except (A) an employee in an occupational series covering positions for which the primary duties are wildland firefighting, as determined by the Office; and (B) in such other circumstances as the Office may by regulation prescribe; and . (b) Employees Currently in the 401 Fire Management Specialist Series Any individual who, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, holds a position of wildland firefighter shall have the option of either remaining in the 401 series (as in effect on such date under chapter 51 (c) Rule of construction Nothing in this Act shall be considered to require any change in the pay, benefits, or other terms or conditions of employment that apply with respect to any category of employees or positions described herein. Furthermore, nothing in this Act shall preclude a Federal wildland firefighter who attains age 57 (the maximum age for Federal firefighters to continue serving) from cross-training into another occupational series not subject to mandatory retirement limitations to maintain employment with any Federal land management agency.

Summary: Federal Wildland Firefighter Recognition Act Requires the Office of Personnel Management to develop a separate and distinct wildland firefighter occupational series that more accurately reflects the variety of duties performed by such firefighters. Defines a "wildland firefighter" as a federal land management agency employee whose duties are primarily to perform work directly related to the prevention, control, suppression, and management of wildfires.