Smokejumpers, Hotshots Urge Montana Senator to Change Federal Classification

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Firefighting | News

Legislation could change the name back to firefighters

(MTN News/KRTV.com, YouTube)

Dennis Bragg, MTN News/KRTV.com

MISSOULA (KRTV) – Experienced wildland firefighters tell Sen. Steve Daines they never expected to “get rich” by “sleeping in the dirt” and putting their lives at risk.

But they urge Montana’s junior senator to do whatever he can to bring changes that would convince more young men and women to stick with firefighting as a career and help those who are seriously injured protecting homes and forests.

Those comments came Friday morning as Daines hosted a meeting with firefighters at Neptune Aviation in Missoula. The senator is about to introduce legislation that would seek to change the federal job classification for fire teams from “Forest Technicians” back to firefighters, and make other changes in how they are paid. MORE

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Legislation could change the name back to firefighters Dennis Bragg, MTN News/KRTV.com MISSOULA (KRTV) – Experienced wildland firefighters tell Sen. Steve Daines they never expected to “get rich” by “sleeping in the dirt” and putting their lives at risk. But they urge Montana’s junior senator to do whatever he can to bring changes […]

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Legislation could change the name back to firefighters

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