{"id":2390549,"date":"2025-01-15T11:14:01","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T16:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/over-1000-inmates-battle-la-wildfires-earning-pathways-to-firefighting-jobs-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-01-15T11:19:20","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T16:19:20","slug":"over-1000-inmates-battle-la-wildfires-earning-pathways-to-firefighting-jobs-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/over-1000-inmates-battle-la-wildfires-earning-pathways-to-firefighting-jobs-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Over 1,000 inmates battle LA wildfires, earning pathways to firefighting jobs &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fover-1000-inmates-battle-la-wildfires-earning-pathways-to-firefighting-jobs-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2390549&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Over 1,000 inmates are currently participating in \u200bfirefighting efforts \u200bin Los \u2062Angeles, working around the\u2064 clock\u200b to combat wildfires \u200cby clearing debris, creating fire lines, and removing combustible materials.\u200b California has\u200b a\u200c long history of utilizing incarcerated\u200d individuals for wildfire management, with these\u200d firefighters typically constituting about 30% of the total workforce combating such blazes. Inmates \u200care compensated between $5.80 \u200cand $10.24 per day, with an additional payment of $1 per hour when involved in emergency responses.Eligibility for this program requires inmates to have non-violent records and to\u200d be compliant with prison rules, while also maintaining\u2062 a minimum-security classification.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Over 1,000 inmates battle LA wildfires, earning pathways to firefighting jobs<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1936013\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; There are 1,015 inmates currently fighting the Los Angeles wildfires, working up to 24 hours at a time clearing debris, curing fire lines, removing fuel from behind structures and even fighting on the front lines.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>California has long relied on incarcerated individuals to support CAL FIRE in fighting the state&rsquo;s numerous wildfires and last week&rsquo;s unprecedented amount of fire fueled by Santa Ana winds is no exception. Historically, incarcerated firefighters have typically made up about 30% of the firefighters that fight California&rsquo;s wildfires.<\/p>\n<p>Inmates are paid anywhere from $5.80 to $10.24 per day from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and receive an additional $1 per hour from CAL FIRE when responding to an active emergency. Only prisoners who have non-violent behavior and have adhered to all rules while incarcerated are eligible for this program. Additionally, they must be incarcerated with a minimum-security status. Exceptions include sexual offenses, arson and any history of escape with force or violence.<\/p>\n<p>There are currently 35 &ldquo;conservation camps&rdquo; spread across 25 counties established in California run by CAL FIRE and the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD). While the number of inmates who chose to participate in this voluntary program has been over 4,000 in the past, the number of incarcerated individuals participating has shrunk to 1,870.<\/p>\n<p>Out of the 35 camps, 21 have been deployed to assist in fighting the Los Angeles wildfires.<\/p>\n<p>This program was established in 1946 and until just a few years ago, inmates training and working as firefighters had minimal if any pathway to continue the career. However, in 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2147 into law allowing former non-violent incarcerated individuals who participated in the program to have their records expunged.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This legislation rights a historic wrong and recognizes the sacrifice of thousands of incarcerated people who have helped battle wildfires in our state, and I would like to thank the Legislature for passing this bill,&rdquo; reads a statement from Newsom.<\/p>\n<p>Incarcerated individuals can also earn time credits. Most receive 2-for-1 credits, meaning that they are able to get two days off their sentence for every one day they serve on a fire crew. Additionally, since 2018 participants have had the opportunity to go on to continue their education at the Ventura Training Center and eventually gain employment with CAL FIRE.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Before I got incarcerated, sadly, I didn&rsquo;t know much about firefighting,&rdquo; said Joseph, an inmate currently fighting the wildfires, in an instagram post by the Anti-Recidivism Coalition. &ldquo;So, once I did become incarcerated, I actually ended up liking it. I can actually see myself as a firefighter and hopefully once I parole, I can do the Ventura program and once I graduate, get on with CAL Fire.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>As of 2024, the Ventura Training Center has enrolled 432 formerly incarcerated participants and has placed 272 individuals into firefighting careers.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Participants in the certification program are provided with additional rehabilitation and job training skills to help them be more successful after completion of the program,&rdquo; reads the Ventura Training Center website. &ldquo;Cadets who complete the program will be qualified to apply for entry-level firefighting jobs with local, state, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-surveys-west-coast-wildfire-damage-promotes-spending-plan\/\" title=\"Biden Surveys West Coast Wildfire Damage, Promotes Spending Plan\">federal firefighting agencies<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The CDCR has also expanded to provide similar programs to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/supreme-court-makes-it-easier-to-impose-life-without-parole-on-juvenile-murderers\/\" title=\"Supreme Court Makes It Easier to Impose Life Without Parole on Juvenile Murderers\">youth offenders<\/a>, allowing inmates 25 years old or younger to serve in a camp. In 2023, the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program at the Growlersburg conservation camp in Georgetown was established.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;In addition to educational and rehabilitative programming, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">camp participants receive wildland firefighter training<\/a>, enhancing their opportunities for future firefighting careers,&rdquo; reads a CDCR fact sheet. &ldquo;The program expanded to include Pine Grove Conservation Camp in August 2024. In an active fire, CAL FIRE makes the determination where all crews will be deployed based on the conditions and the safety and security of all firefighters.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1936013\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1936013\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over 1,000 inmates fight LA wildfires, gaining firefighting job opportunities<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2390550,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AP25010100561355.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[48127,5390,23907],"class_list":["post-2390549","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-firefighting","tag-inmates","tag-wildfires"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AP25010100561355.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2390549","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2390549"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2390549\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2390553,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2390549\/revisions\/2390553"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2390550"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2390549"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2390549"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2390549"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}