"Thousands of federal firefighters charged with taming the blazes do not have health insurance.... Of all the jobs where you might want health insurance, firefighting near certainly ranks near the top of the list. Firefighters spend two-week shifts working 18 hour days in dangerous conditions. Some develop breathing problems due to smoke inhalation. But many federal firefighters are temporary employees, who only work six months out of the year ... Under federal regulations, temporary employees of the Forest Service do not receive benefits. That means no health care and no retirement pension."  MORE >>