Rep. Kim introduces National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program Act amendments

U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) recently introduced National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program Act amendments to improve wildfire communications and address meteorologist shortages.

The amendments occurred during a House Science, Space and Technology Committee markup on the measure, noting the revisions were added to the bill passed out of committee by voice vote.

“Californians in my district and across the state know all too well the devastating impacts of wildfires,” Kim said. “I am committed to working on commonsense policies that will help those on the frontlines of keeping communities safe do their dangerous jobs, which is why I introduced two amendments that would address concerns regarding wildfire communications and information sharing I heard directly from firefighters at a recent roundtable I hosted.”

The amendments direct the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) to implement a research plan to test and provide recommendations as a means of improving public safety communication coordination standards.

The amendments also direct the National Weather Service to provide guidance for addressing challenges identified in the Incident Meteorologist Workforce Assessment while projecting the expected number of Incident Meteorologists (IMETs) needed over the next five years.

The modifications would also identify hiring authorities needed to target training and workforce challenges.