Firefighters Back Bill to Give Federal Firefighters Preference in Hiring for Municipal Positions

PHOTO: Federal firefighter Kyle Moser testifies in support of LD 1105.

Members of the Professional Firefighters of Maine (IAFF) are supporting a bill that would require municipalities to give priority in hiring to federal firefighters who have been displaced due to a reduction in force at or closure of a federal military installation. LD 1105, An Act Concerning Displaced Civilian Federal Firefighters in Maine, sponsored by Rep. Kristi Mathieson (D-Kittery), would impact over 70 firefighters at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, the Naval Computers and Telecommunications Area in Cutler, and the Veteran Affairs Hospital in Togas. There are 54 federal firefighters residing in Maine.

At a public hearing for the bill last week, backers of the bill said its aim is not to undermine hiring practices for municipalities, but rather to ensure that federal firefighters who lose their jobs can find employment when they are laid off due to circumstances beyond their control.

“This bill, if enacted and ever needed to be utilized, would not only put peace of mind for federal firefighters here in Maine, it is also a great opportunity for Public Sector Fire Chiefs and Municipalities,” said federal firefighter Kyle Moser, 5th District Vice President Professional Fire Fighters of Maine Maine. “Fire Chiefs would have the ability to hire highly trained and qualified individuals, thus saving the taxpayers money when compared to having to hire someone with no training or certifications.”
 

Similar policies have been adopted in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California.