State firefighters may soon be able to retire 10 years earlier as the North Dakota Legislature considers a bill to allow them to participate in the state’s retirement plan for public safety officials.

House Bill 1112, brought by the North Dakota Forest Service, would move state firefighters to the state’s public safety plan, which already includes local government firefighters and law enforcement. This would allow them the ability to retire at age 55 with three years of service, or when they have a combined age and service of 85.

State firefighters are currently on the state’s main retirement plan, which allows employees to retire at age 65, or earlier depending on the length of service.

Image

“Unlike most state employees, firefighters, law enforcement and other specialized positions all put their own lives at risk while at work to protect the lives and the property of others,” State Forester Tom Claeys told lawmakers on the House Government and Veteran Affairs Committee at a Jan. 9 hearing.

Compared to the general population, fighters are at significantly higher risk of developing cancer and other illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ryan Melin, who leads wildfire response efforts for the State Forest Service, said the bill would help protect firefighters who put their lives on the line for the public.

“Offering earlier retirement opportunities than we currently have ensures that as a state, we don’t place an extraordinary risk on firefighters in their late 50s and 60s,” Melin told lawmakers at the hearing.

He said as a 44-year-old, his job is more difficult than it was in his 20s and 30s. He also noted firefighters are facing “increased intensity and duration of wildfires.”

Image

In North Dakota, the treachery of the job was highlighted when 190 fires burned more than 126,000 acres in October.

State firefighters have also been called on to help other states. Hunter Noor of the North Dakota Forest Service, who attended the committee meeting, is helping fight fires in Los Angeles, working as a task force leader for five fire engines from South Dakota.

Claeys also said the bill would make the North Dakota Forest Service more attractive to potential hirees.

“Unfortunately, in the past five years, we’ve lost over 20 firefighters to other states and federal agencies in western states,” he said. “So the competition for firefighters is very, very fierce.”

The change would only affect seven firefighters in the state, PERS Chief Operating and Financial Officer Derrick Hohbein told lawmakers. In neutral testimony on the bill, he said the policy would not have a meaningful financial impact on the state budget.

Last week, the full House of Representatives voted unanimously to forward the bill to the Senate.

House Bill 1112 has been received by the Senate, where it will need to be heard by a committee before advancing to the floor for a vote.

North Dakota Monitor is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Amy Dalrymple for questions: info@northdakotamonitor.com.