Sarbanes Applauds Passage of Federal Firefighter Legislation in FY22 NDAA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today applauded House passage of his bill, the Federal Firefighter Flexibility and Fairness Act (H.R. 2059), in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022.

"Federal firefighters are often the first line of defense, putting their lives on the line hour after hour during shifts. We should be doing more to support them in this grueling work, and that includes adding flexibility to their schedules so they can achieve greater work-life balance. State, local and municipal firefighters are already able to trade shifts across pay periods without affecting their pay or annual leave. I'm pleased the House passed my legislation to correct that longstanding disparity for federal firefighters today," said Congressman Sarbanes. "By creating a healthier, more sustainable job for them, we are ensuring safer communities in Maryland and nationwide."

For a decade, Congressman Sarbanes has led the effort to advance this bipartisan and bicameral legislation to grant federal firefighters greater workplace flexibility, including the ability to trade shifts without affecting their pay or using annual leave. He announced in September that the bill would be included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022.

Maryland is home to many professional federal firefighters, including first responders at the U.S. Naval Academy, Fort Meade, Fort Detrick and the Forest Glen Annex, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head, Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Institutes of Health.