A voice for

Federal Wildland Firefighters

Our Mission

Grassroots Wildland Firefighters was founded in 2019 by active and retired federal wildland firefighters to confront the critical challenges facing those on the frontlines.

From fair pay and accurate job classification to comprehensive health support and workers' compensation reform, we are driven to secure the rights and well-being of those who protect our communities.

Firefighter Health & Wellbeing

Fair Pay & Benefits

We advocate for increased pay, on-call pay, retirement calculations based on overtime and base pay (same as federal Law Enforcement), buyback of temporary employment time toward retirement, and the creation of a Wildland Firefighter Series.

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Firefighter Health & Wellbeing

We advocate for increased funding and support for those battling to stay healthy physically and mentally, including: Office of Workers’ Compensation Program reform, access to year-round care for temporary wildland firefighters, and long-term heart and lung care.

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Strategic Workforce

We believe a strategic workforce is needed to solve the current limited staffing and hazardous fuels reduction crises as fire season grows longer. We recognize that at current staffing levels, federal wildland firefighters are expected to work anywhere from 500-1500 hours of overtime year after year

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Federal Wildland Fire Service

Reduce cost and increase efficiency by maintaining a highly skilled workforce dedicated to the task of managing wildfires, rather than multiple agencies with redundant administrative positions.

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Grassroots Advocacy Featured In

Check Out Our News Presence

"To me, Grassroots means that the story of the American wildland firefighter is finally being told in a transparent and honest way. That story is one that both the public and the firefighters themselves deserve to have brought into the light because in it we might all find an opportunity for hope. A hope rooted in the knowledge that even in the most trying times and adverse conditions, there are those who will come to help. And a hope rooted in the proof that when that story is told, those who make that sacrifice will be recognized and rewarded for it."

Ben McLane, GWF Board of Advisors
"I just want the folks that I consider my fire family to be taken care of and be able to successfully go through their career and be able to step out the other side of it whole."

Luke Mayfield, GWF President
I am the wife of a superintendent on a handcrew, and he is gone more often than home. Grassroots has brought attention not only to the plight of our WLFF's but to their families. Low pay, health issues, and relationship fallouts are a reality in this industry due to the lack of resources and support. By bringing attention to these things and fighting for better resources and standard procedures legally, your team is our champion.

—Family of Wildland Firefighter
The foundation has established a baseline for driving change in the federal workforce. Without advocacy to push for the changes employees needed, the fire agencies would likely have completely collapsed by now.

—California Wildland Firefighter

Support the Grassroots Mission

Grassroots Wildland Firefighters is a 501c3* and 501c4 organization. Funds donated to the 501c3 campaign, included below, will be utilized for education, awareness, resource sharing, and operational support.

*501c3 donations are tax deductible.

Funds donated to the 501c4 through this link will be utilized for advocacy, travel to/from Washington, DC, and advocacy related activities to ensure Grassroots Wildland Firefighters remain strategically positioned to work with legislative representatives and agency personnel.