As a fire fighter, I urgently appeal for an increase in the maximum annual uniform allowance provided to us, mandated to wear agency-directed uniforms. The current maximum allowance of $800 is insufficient to cover the cost of uniforms necessary for our duties. Despite having the authority under 5 U.S.C. 5902, OPM has maintained this allowance at $800 for eighteen years, despite its diminished purchasing power.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data indicates that the current $800 allowance has lost over 50% of its purchasing power since 2006. BLS Consumer Price Index data suggests that an annual allowance of $1,232.05 is needed to restore the purchasing power of the current $800 allowance.  

Additionally, the initial maximum uniform allowance for newly hired federal civil servants, set by OPM, has remained stagnant for almost eighteen years. Increasing this initial allowance to $2,464.13, as per Consumer Price Index data, is critical to address our uniform needs.

I urge OPM to establish a new section to 5 CFR 591, mandating a biennial increase of the maximum annual uniform allowance consistent with inflation. These adjustments should, at a minimum, align with the annual Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners.

The prolonged stagnation in uniform allowance increases has imposed significant financial hardships on us, worsened morale, and contributed to retention issues within our ranks. I implore OPM to address this matter with the utmost urgency and expediency.