Prisoners And Fire Fighters Fighting Fires Together!

Things have progressed with the California fires and as it continues there is still a fight in order to suppress the fire that has been blazing for the last couple of days with many running out of their homes due to the information that was given to evacuate in order for them to save their lives. An approximate 150,000 acres have been burned thus far, causing a high level of damage and billions in the recovery for Los Angeles.  

There are prisoners who volunteer for the prison fire fighter jobs that are required to meet specific eligibility requirements that is meant to protect the safety of the citizens who are around while these prisoners assist with fighting fires. Many have had so much to say about the prisoners not being compensated an appropriate rate for their services; as we take into consideration that they are prisoners, compensation is something that may not reach a minimum wage they are still inmates that are coming from a prison facility; casting a comparison to fire fighters who does this as a regular job and they are citizens who have dedicated their life to protect those who are not able to protect themselves during direr circumstances. 

30% of the people fighting the palisades fire is prisoners

Over 800 Prisoners were called to assist with fighting LA Palisades fire

There is no system that is fail proof and there are always spaces where things can go wrong and anyone can miss the checks and balances in an organization. However as prisoners who have chosen to volunteer to do this job there are risk that are involved and the likely hood of death, which is a risk that the average fire fighters have decided to risk their lives for when doing this specific job. As prisoners they are given less as far as uniforms and equipments when it comes to this field that they have decided to join, the uniform they use helps to separate them from the actual fire fighters who has to wear the mask and the heavy coats and pants to protect them when they enter a building that is on fire to rescue individuals who are stuck and unable to free themselves. A part of the risk of their job is death, just as the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines and the Police department. The training of the prison personnel actually differs from the original fire fighters and it gives them a understanding of getting reacclimatized to being a law biding citizen when they leave the penitentiary, it is also teaching them real life skills that they can take with them back into society upon their release.

Many have found themselves in an upheaval about the issue of pay and that these inmates are taken out of jail in order to fight these fires, without the understanding that these prisoners are gaining a form of freedom away from the prison cells. On average they receive $5.20 to $10.20 per sift and they can receive $1 extra on their pay. These prison volunteer fire fighters have decided to take up the job fighting fires. Doing this particular is a benefit for them it allows them money to purchase items they may have not been able to purchase before, it also allows them a time frame of 12 hours outside of the prison wall and time off of their original sentence. This indicates that they have the ability to leave earlier than their projected date when they do this job. Kim Kardashian - West have taken this fight on in attempts to state that the prisoners are being abused and should be compensated a higher salary due to the fact that they are below the city minimum wage threshold. These prison personnels who have taken the opportunity to commit a crime that landed them behind bars and now they are being given a chance to redeem themselves should not be look at as a bad thing. They have to be eligible to even be apart of this program because not all of the prisoners who are in jail can actually participate in this program. This also gives them a reduction on time served which is the ultimate prize for the prisoners who do this particular job.

The comments that were made by Kim Kardashian - West are shown below:

Below there is some information from a media page on Instagram:

Information from the California website is listed below:  

Eligibility

An incarcerated person must volunteer for the Conservation (Fire) Camp Program and meet all eligibility criteria meant to protect public safety. No one is involuntarily assigned to work in a fire camp. Thus, incarcerated people do not face disciplinary action if they choose not to serve their time in a fire camp.

CDCR health care staff must clear participants as physically and mentally fit for vigorous activity to participate in the program.

Volunteers must have “minimum custody” status, or the lowest-security classification based on their sustained good behavior in prison, ability to follow rules, and participation in rehabilitative programming.

Volunteers must have eight years or less remaining on their sentence to be considered.

Some convictions automatically make someone ineligible for conservation camp assignment, even if they have minimum-custody status. Disqualifying convictions include rape and other sex offenses, arson, and escape history. Other disqualifiers include active warrants, medical issues, and high-notoriety cases.

Training

California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) nursing staff must clear a participant for medical or mental concerns before they can volunteer for the program. They must also complete a physical fitness test.

Once volunteers pass the physical fitness test, they must complete CAL FIRE’s Firefighting Training (FFT) program. Training consists of four days of classroom training and four days of field training, taught by CAL FIRE staff.

After completing CAL FIRE’s FFT program, program participants become certified wildland firefighters.

Partnerships with community colleges across the state provide correspondence courses and other educational opportunities. One example is Columbia College’s fire science certification course. Fire crew members can earn a certificate that transfers into credits at a two- or four-year college after release to continue their education.

Fire Line Safety

CDCR and CAL FIRE take potential risks and dangers to firefighting personnel very seriously. All CAL FIRE personnel, including incarcerated firefighters, undergo training on the dangers associated with wildland firefighting. That includes methods to prevent, recognize and respond to symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Training, physical fitness conditioning, and education, including proper hydration and nutrition, are ongoing. Heat-related injury or illness suffered by any incarcerated person is recorded and treated seriously. These cases are investigated internally and shared with Cal OSHA to determine if proper mitigations were in place.

Avoiding heat illness is a partnership between the firefighter and CAL FIRE—each must do their part year-round to ensure that they are preparing for the upcoming fire season.  CAL FIRE provides to incarcerated hand crews the training, supervision and knowledge to avoid heat illness, as well as being a fit and safe firefighter.

Part of CAL FIRE’s classroom instruction for wildland firefighter training includes First Aid.

CDCR and CAL FIRE take potential risks and dangers to firefighting personnel very seriously. All CAL FIRE personnel, including incarcerated crew members, undergo training on the dangers associated with wildland firefighting. That includes methods to prevent, recognize and respond to symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Training, physical fitness conditioning, and education, including proper hydration and nutrition, are ongoing for fire crew members. Heat-related injury or illness suffered by any incarcerated person is recorded and treated seriously. These cases are investigated internally and shared with Cal OSHA to determine if proper mitigations were in place.

Avoiding heat illness is a partnership between the firefighter and CAL FIRE. Each must do their part to ensure they are preparing for fire season.  CAL FIRE provides the training, supervision and knowledge to avoid heat illness, as well as being a fit and safe fire crew member.

Rehabilitative Programs

Depending on skill level, conservation camp incarcerated fire crew members earn between $5.80 and $10.24 per day, paid by CDCR. While assigned to an active emergency, incarcerated fire crew members earn an additional $1 per hour paid by CAL FIRE, regardless of skill level. During emergencies, crews can work a 24-hour shift, followed by 24 hours of rest. For example, for one 24 hour shift during an active emergency, the lowest skill level would earn $26.90 per day. They are paid during rest periods, as well.

Camp participants also earn time credits. Most incarcerated fire crew members receive 2-for-1 credits, meaning they receive two additional days off their sentence for every one day they serve on a fire crew. Camp volunteers who work as support staff, but not on a fire crew, receive day-for day credits, meaning they receive one day off their sentence for every one day they serve as a firefighter.

For more information on credit-earning, visit the Proposition 57 webpage.

The Conservation (Fire) Camp Program can be an important part of an incarcerated person’s rehabilitation as they serve their sentences with CDCR. Just as in every CDCR prison, every conservation camp offers rehabilitative and educational services, including substance abuse programs, religious programs, and GED and college courses. For programs offered at a specific camp, visit the List of Conservation (Fire) Camps.

Camps also offer a visiting program. Maintaining relationships and communication with loved ones is an integral part of the rehabilitative process. For more information, visit the Scheduling Visits at a Conservation (Fire) Camp page.

Employment Opportunities

Yes. A felony conviction does not disqualify employment with CAL FIRE. Many former camp firefighters go on to gain employment with CAL FIRE, the United States Forest Service and interagency hotshot crews.

CAL FIRE, California Conservation Corps (CCC), and CDCR, in partnership with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), developed an 18-month enhanced firefighter training and certification program at the Ventura Training Center (VTC), located in Ventura County.

The VTC trains formerly-incarcerated people on parole who have recently been part of a trained firefighting workforce housed in fire camps or institutional firehouses operated by CAL FIRE and CDCR. Members of the CCC are also eligible to participate. VTC cadets receive additional rehabilitation and job training skills to help them be more successful after completion of the program. Cadets who complete the program are qualified to apply for entry-level firefighting jobs with local, state, and federal firefighting agencies.