Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: employment: firefighters.

A coalition of California state senators, led by Senator McGuire, aims to restructure employment classifications for CAL FIRE personnel through legislation that would convert Firefighter I positions from temporary to permanent status. The measure directs the Department of Human Resources, State Personnel Board, and other relevant agencies to implement this transition for firefighters currently serving in seasonal or temporary roles.

The legislation establishes a framework for negotiations between state employers and employee representatives to determine wages, hours, and other employment terms both during and after the transition period. These discussions must follow existing state collective bargaining procedures outlined in the Government Code. While the bill creates new obligations for state agencies regarding firefighter employment classifications, it requires no additional appropriations, indicating implementation costs would be absorbed within existing budgets.

This proposed change builds upon the existing Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights Act, which already provides certain employment protections to both permanent and temporary CAL FIRE personnel. The measure would affect the employment status of Firefighter I positions while maintaining the established collective bargaining process for determining specific employment terms and conditions.