WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), are expressing their concerns about the potential loss of Department of Defense (DoD) firefighters on probationary status at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY). In a letter to Acting Secretary of the Navy Terrence Emmert, the Senators make clear the importance of having a highly trained firefighting force, and urged the Secretary to provide clear and consistent guidance regarding the seemingly arbitrary hiring freezes and terminations requested by the Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The effects of inadequate firefighter staffing are profound; insufficient fire protection has the potential to halt shipyard operations, threatening safety for military personnel and undermining national security. ‘Hot work’ — like welding — on submarines in the shipyard will stop if there are not enough firefighters. 

“We are writing to express deep concern regarding manning challenges faced by Department of Defense firefighters, particularly those responsible for protecting critical naval installations at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY). Recent administration actions create a significant degree of uncertainty and operational risk, which demand urgent attention. We urge you to bring clarity to your most valuable asset—the people who serve the Department of the Navy,” began the Senators.

One of the most pressing concerns is the uncertain job environment for these essential personnel. Probationary firefighters face an alarming risk of termination due to haphazard workforce reductions and unclear guidance on exceptions. While federal police personnel appear to be granted certain protections, there is no specific indication that firefighters are similarly excepted. This lack of clarity has led to unnecessary distress and instability within the workforce,” wrote the Senators.

Firefighting is an arduous profession requiring specialized training and expertise. At Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Cutler, it took two years to reach full manning levels, underscoring the challenge of adequately staffing these critical roles. The firefighters at such remote bases are indispensable, as they provide emergency response capabilities in areas without local fire department support. Their work directly supports sensitive national security missions, making their continued employment a matter of national security, not just workforce planning,” the Senators continued.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Senator King is a steadfast supporter of the Navy and Coast Guard. He recently secured key provisions in the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to support the maritime forces and ensure that America’s military can continue providing best in class services to protect the ‘territory of the brave.’ In 2023, he was honored with the Congressional Sea Services Award by the Navy League Capital Council and accepted it on behalf of the men and women of the sea services and the shipbuilders at Bath Iron Works (BIW) and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Additionally, at the personal invitation of Senator King, former Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visited Maine shipyards, like Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, regularly during his service. Most recently, he expressed gratitude that the Coast Guard funding bill passed the Senate unanimously.

The full letter sent to Acting Secretary Emmert can be found here and below.

+++

We are writing to express deep concern regarding manning challenges faced by Department of Defense firefighters, particularly those responsible for protecting critical naval installations at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY). Recent administration actions create a significant degree of uncertainty and operational risk, which demand urgent attention. We urge you to bring clarity to your most valuable asset—the people who serve the Department of the Navy.

One of the most pressing concerns is the uncertain job environment for these essential personnel. Probationary firefighters face an alarming risk of termination due to haphazard workforce reductions and unclear guidance on exceptions. While federal police personnel appear to be granted certain protections, there is no specific indication that firefighters are similarly excepted. This lack of clarity has led to unnecessary distress and instability within the workforce.

The potential loss of probationary employees at PNSY would be particularly devastating. If these individuals are terminated, the shipyard would lose an entire shift—amounting to a 22% reduction in its firefighting workforce. This level of loss in staffing would severely compromise emergency response capabilities and overall operational safety.

Compounding this issue is the seemingly arbitrary hiring freeze, which has abruptly halted employment commitments. Some prospective hires, who had already made significant life changes, including relocating hundreds of miles to accept these positions, were suddenly told to stop and that their hiring would not proceed. This approach not only disrupts lives but also undermines the Department’s ability to attract and retain top-tier firefighting talent in an already competitive job market.

Firefighting is an arduous profession requiring specialized training and expertise. At Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Cutler, it took two years to reach full manning levels, underscoring the challenge of adequately staffing these critical roles. The firefighters at such remote bases are indispensable, as they provide emergency response capabilities in areas without local fire department support. Their work directly supports sensitive national security missions, making their continued employment a matter of national security, not just workforce planning.

Furthermore, the national shortage of firefighters extends beyond the Department, which means that arbitrarily cutting positions and telling personnel to reapply later is not a viable option. Unlike other fields outside of the Department of the Navy, where hiring and layoffs can be more flexible, firefighting requires continuous training and preparedness. A break in service could result in skill degradation and loss of qualified personnel to other sectors that provide greater stability.

The importance of base fire departments cannot be overstated. Fires do not stop at the gates of a base, and present hazards to the surrounding population. Shipyards are especially vulnerable due to the inherently hazardous nature of their operations. History has demonstrated the catastrophic consequences of shipyard fires, making it imperative that we maintain adequate firefighting staffing levels. Without sufficient personnel, shipyard operations may come to a halt, delaying essential maintenance and production work vital to fleet readiness.

Ultimately, this is not just a matter of workforce numbers—it is a matter of safety for our military personnel, our local communities, and the security of our nation. The firefighters protecting our bases and shipyards are essential to ensuring operational continuity and emergency preparedness. We urge you to address these concerns and provide clear, consistent guidance to stabilize this critical workforce.

We appreciate your time and consideration in addressing these urgent matters and look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

###