Fighting More Than Fire, Police Staffing Issues and Building a Teacher Pipeline | 9.17.21

New Mexico in Focus (A Production of NMPBS)

When our homes and our forests are threatened, we all appreciate the federal wildland firefighters who show up for us from all over the country. But they face bigger challenges every year, especially as climate change lengthens fire season and spawns bigger and more severe fires. They also face struggles the rest of us never see, including long assignments away from their families and support networks, low pay, and mental health challenges. In this segment, we hear from three current and former federal wildland firefighters from around the West about those problems and potential solutions.

Crime often tops the list of problems facing New Mexicans, yet cities and counties say it’s hard finding enough police officers and deputies to tackle the issue. In Albuquerque, less than half of the force of 959 sworn law enforcers are patrol officers. The Line opinion panel examines police staffing problems in Albuquerque and the rest of the state.

Teacher’s assistants and early childhood educators are key to child well-being, yet workers in those positions are some of the lowest paid. The Line opinion panelists debate a pay plan for teacher’s assistants and early childhood educators.

Host:

Gene Grant

Line Panel:

Dede Feldman, former state senator
Dan McKay, political reporter, Albuquerque Journal
Kristelle Siarza, owner & CEO, Siarza Social Digital

Correspondent:
Laura Paskus

Guest:

Marcus Cornwell, federal wildland firefighter

Jonathon Golden, former wildland firefighter

Kelly Martin, President, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters

For More Information:

Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, https://www.grassrootswildlandfirefighters.com/

Wildland Firefighter Foundation, https://wffoundation.org/

U.S. Hotshots Association, https://ushotshots.com/

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