Lawmakers tout Federal Firefighter Pay Equity Act

Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA) recently praised the benefits of the Federal Firefighter Pay Equity Act, which they said is designed to ensure federal firefighters equal access to retirement benefits.

The measure would balance federal firefighter retirement benefit accessibility with that of their state and local counterparts.

“Thousands of federal firefighters across America – including many at Grissom Air Reserve Base in Indiana – risk their lives every day to keep people safe and protect our national security,” Walorski said. “We have a responsibility to make sure they are treated fairly in retirement. The Act will ensures these brave and hardworking first responders get the full compensation and benefits they deserve.”

The legislation stems from the fact unlike their counterparts in state and local government, federal firefighters are not credited with the additional income from mandatory overtime for the purposes of calculating retirement benefits.

“These courageous men and women work grueling hours in the most difficult of circumstances,” Connolly said. “It is our absolute responsibility to provide them with a retirement worthy of the sacrifices they have made in service to the United States. Our bipartisan legislation fulfills that responsibility, and ensures that our retired federal firefighters are compensated fairly and fully.”