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Forestry Commission urges reinstatement of staffing pins and pay progressions to bolster wildfire response
Summary
Russell of the Forestry Commission told the committee the agency lost 67 personnel pins, seeks reinstatement of 32 pins funded from agency special funds, and outlined a pay progression (2.5% per year) and a $266,000 price tag for firefighter progressions plus $237,000 for salary equity across 70 other positions.
Russell, speaking for the Forestry Commission, told the Appropriations Committee the agency's operating model targets 86 wildland fire crews (roughly one per county) but current vacancies and lost PINs have reduced capacity. "We lost 67 pins," he said, and asked the committee to reinstate 32 pins so the agency can approach a 300‑pin capacity and sustain response capability.
He said those 32 pins would be funded through agency‑generated special funds rather than the general…
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