California Governor Gavin Newsom has opted against a salary increase for the state’s firefighters, just months after the Los Angeles County fires inflicted substantial damage worth billions.
A severe fire swept through Southern California in January, destroying thousands of acres across multiple cities and forcing numerous residents to evacuate. During this tumultuous time, Newsom faced criticism regarding his leadership. On Friday, he sent a letter to the California Legislature, explaining that Assembly Bill 1309 “creates significant cost pressures for the state.”
In his letter, Newsom noted that the bill would mandate the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to compensate firefighters within 15 percent of the average salary for similar roles in local fire departments. It would also require annual surveys of fire chiefs’ salaries and benefits in five selected fire departments.
“While we recognize the authors’ intentions, this legislation imposes significant financial strains on the state and bypasses the collective bargaining process,” Newsom added. He emphasized that employee compensation, including health and pension benefits, should be negotiated collectively. “Setting a statutory pay floor for one sector undermines this process, negatively impacting the state and other bargaining units.”
Introduced in February, Assembly Bill 1309 was a bipartisan effort spearheaded by Republican Heath Flora, aiming to ensure that state-bargaining unit firefighters are paid within 15% of the average salaries for comparable positions in 20 publicly traded California fire departments.
The bill also required the Department of Human Resources to report on the salaries and benefits of fire chiefs within specified California fire departments by January 1, 2027.
The wildfires resulted in damages of at least $250 billion, leading to considerable criticism directed at both Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass from residents and Republican lawmakers. While authorities have pledged to assist residents in returning and rebuilding, many have expressed frustration over the sluggish pace of state assistance.
During a press conference in January involving President Donald Trump and other local leaders, Trump pushed back against Mayor Bass’s comments, pointing out that residents in Pacific Palisades should not wait for government aid to fix their homes.
Months later, recovery remains a struggle for many residents. One Pacific Palisades homeowner shared with The Los Angeles Times how challenging it has been to coordinate with insurance adjusters and contractors, stating that they often find it difficult to get clear answers.
A report from the McChrystal Group, commissioned by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, highlighted several issues hindering the county’s fire response efforts. These included understaffing, outdated policies, inconsistent practices, and communication barriers.
Furthermore, an analysis indicated that the Los Angeles Fire Department is operating with less than one firefighter for every 1,000 residents. Jerry May, a Fire Captain in San Jose, mentioned that his city is “severely understaffed,” lacking adequate personnel despite being one of the busiest fire departments in the U.S.
Earlier this year, the state Senate Republican Caucus issued a release underscoring GOP initiatives aimed at preventing such disasters while stressing the need for recovery. They noted that between 2003 and 2024, 72 wildfire-related bills were introduced, addressing various aspects such as California’s Environmental Quality Act and wildfire prevention, but only 16 were enacted, with many others being suspended or vetoed by three governors, including Newsom.
