Nationwide Affiliation of Insurance coverage Commissioners President Jon Godfread discusses the rising risk of weather-related tragedies on ‘Mornings with Maria.’
Lower than a yr after the costliest and devastating wildfire in state historical past, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bipartisan invoice that sought to lift salaries for California’s state firefighters.
Newsom wrote in a letter on Oct. 3 that he vetoed the invoice as a result of it could price the state an excessive amount of cash and intervene with the conventional method worker pay is negotiated.
MAPS SHOW EXTENT OF WILDFIRE DEVASTATION, HOMES DESTROYED
“Whereas I respect the creator’s intent, this invoice would create important price pressures for the state and circumvent the collective bargaining course of,” Newsom wrote.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is seen whereas visiting the group destroyed by the Dixie Hearth in Greenville, California Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. (Stephen Lam/The San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Photos / Getty Photos)
“Establishing a statutory ground for workers of a single division undermines this course of, to the detriment of each the state and different bargaining items,” he added.
Newsom’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to FOX Enterprise’ request for remark.
Assembly Bill 1309 proposed the Division of Forestry and Hearth Safety, often known as CAL FIRE, keep firefighter pay inside 15% of the common compensation for comparable ranks at 20 designated native fireplace companies statewide.
In response to the California Division of Forestry and Hearth Safety, entry-level firefighters earn a beginning wage of $54,122. By comparability, the Los Angeles Hearth Division lists its beginning wage at $85,315.
Firefighters battle flames from the Canyon Hearth on Aug. 7, 2025, in Castaic, California. (Eric Thayer/Getty Photos / Getty Photos)
The invoice notes that, up to now decade, California has confronted a collection of historic wildfires which have claimed greater than 100 lives, precipitated billions of {dollars} in harm, worn out whole communities and positioned large pressure on already overworked firefighters.
CAL FIRE staff have a number of the most wide-ranging duties of any firefighting pressure. Their duties prolong past battling wildfires to incorporate responding to floods, earthquakes and different pure disasters.
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An aerial view of properties which burned within the Eaton Hearth on Jan. 21, 2025, in Altadena, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Photos / Getty Photos)
The invoice additionally provides that firefighters work grueling shifts below fixed strain, generally remaining on responsibility for a month straight with no single day without work.
The bodily risks are equally extreme. Lengthy hours spent on the entrance strains of large fires expose firefighters to hazardous situations and airborne toxins, resulting in each instant accidents and long-term well being dangers.
