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Fighting California fires (Inmate Firefighters) Introduction: Inmate firefighters and the rise of inmates fighting fires Inmate firefighters have been on the rise in California. California has been using the prison population to fight wildfires since World War II. Since the 1940’s inmates have been fighting California wildfires when the state first called up prisoners to replace men assisting the war effort. More than 3,700 men and women and even some juvenile offenders now serve the force. Today, inmate firefighters make up nearly 40% of firefighters, that is nearly a third of the state’s wildfire-fighting personnel and they work on average of 10 million hours each year responding to fires. These inmates work shifts of up to 72 hours straight. Since 2017, the state of California prison system has been becoming overcrowded and with the California wildfires becoming more intense with the drought and heat, wildfires are increasing and the number of prisoners eligible to fight these fires is decreasing. California has been aiming to recruit more inmate firefighters to join the force. The number of inmate firefighters has fallen 13% since 2008.

Inmate Firefighters saving California In the most recent fires in California, there has been a lot of inmates fighting those fires. In October of 2019 there were four California fires that broke out around the same time. All four of these fires had inmate firefighters that help put out these fires. The Kincade fire that had about 352 inmates, the Tick fire that had about 167 inmates, the Burris fire had 167 inmates, and the Rawson fire had 60 inmates. In 2017, Santa Rosa, California, a wildfire broke out, approaching the home of Janet and Dan Condron. They decided to hurry up and evacuate their home. They knew that their home was going to be destroyed. Then suddenly a crew of firefighters appeared in their cul-du-sac and got to putting out the fire. In the end, the crew saved their home. However this fire crew wasn’t from the local fire department, these 26 individuals were from a nearby correctional facility. Dennis Dumas was a convicted felon charged with second-degree burglary and robbery. He received a 3 year prison sentence. Immediately after being processed, an officer approached him about volunteering in the program, but Dennis knew nothing about it. Dennis served at the fire camp in Norco, California between 2005 to 2007. Dennis says that he is glad he joined the program working as a firefighter and he credits his training in the camp to becoming a successful fitness business owner. He says, “this wasn’t something I expected going into the prison system, and it was a big privilege to do something so rewarding,” he said. “We would drive through the communities after fighting a fire and there would be people with signs thanking the inmate firefighters. To be able to experience all of that while you're supposed to be serving a punishment is a really unique and amazing opportunity.” More than 1,000 inmate firefighters were sent to the hospital between 2013 and 2018. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, over the past 35 years, only 6 inmates have died while containing a fire. According to the data gathered by TIME, incarcerated firefighters are four times more likely to suffer from object-related injuries, like cuts and broken bones than other firefighters. They are also eight times more likely to suffer from smoke and particulate inhalation.

The selection process The inmates are part of a volunteer firefighting program run by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Even though inmates also earn time off their sentences by participating in the program, no one is involuntarily assigned to a fire camp. All inmate firefighters join camps voluntarily and they are free to leave at any time once it is unacceptable to ask prisoners to put their lives at risk for reduced sentencing. In fact, inmates should not volunteer to fight dangerous and life-threatening fires simply because the alternative is being locked in a prison cell. Although any inmate can apply to work as a firefighter, not all of them will be eligible nor chosen since they need to earn the right to work in the fire camps. More than 3,000 CDCR prisoners applied to volunteer to work in the fire camps around the state; however, to get chosen, inmates must have non-violent behavior, obey the rules while they are incarcerated, and participate in rehabilitative programs. Each volunteer inmate is evaluated individually to ensure that all of those selected for the camp program are willing to be team members with non-violent behavior, even if their original conviction was for a violent crime. The conservation camps only take minimum-custody inmates as volunteers (inmates who are eligible for outside work assignments but not for placement at a community residential facility). Once chosen, they are screened and medically cleared on a case-by-case basis before being accepted into the program. Some of the medical clearance includes being screened on physical, emotional, and intellectual aptitudes. Also, certain crimes can make an inmate ineligible for the program. To be disqualified, inmates must have committed arson, rape, or sex offenses, besides those with active warrants, medical issues, or whose cases are of high notoriety from the public and the media.

Training camps After passing through the selection process, inmates firefighters considered for fire crews go through a training made by CAL FIRE. They are trained in firefighting techniques just as wildland firefighters are, receiving the same entry level training that seasonal CAL FIRE firefighters receive. The training cover wildland fire safety and attack, hand tool use, teamwork, and crew expectations, including a week of classroom instruction and a second week of field exercises. Potential fire crew inmates are evaluated twice for physical fitness training made by CDCR and, once on a fire crew, inmates have a minimum of four hours-per-week in advanced training. Also, even though there is a medical emergency response team waiting at the base camp to provide assistance during large scale wildfires, all prisoners are trained in basic first aid. The Conservation Camp Program, officially established in 1945, is estimated to save California taxpayers about $100 million each year. Inmate volunteers live in those camps and work on hand crews, constructing firebreaks by using tools like chainsaws and picks. During active fires, they work for 24-hour periods followed by 24 hours of rest. The primary mission of the program is to support state, local, and federal government agencies (such as CAL FIRE and the Los Angeles County Fire Department) as they respond to emergencies such as fires, floods, and other natural or manmade disasters. The fire camps are located in 29 counties in California — 44 conservation camps for adult offenders, one for juvenile offenders, and three adult offender camps that house females, according to CDCR. Thirty-nine adult camps are managed by CDCR and CAL FIRE, whereas five camps are managed by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. All camps have minimum-security facilities and are staffed with correctional staff. The camps can house up to 4,522 adult inmates and 80 juveniles, which can make up 219 fire crews. A typical camp houses five 17-member firefighting crews. There are almost 3,400 inmates currently working at fire camps; however, with the high risks of the job combined with a lack of actual career opportunities at the end of the prisoners' sentences, there has been a steady decline in fire camp volunteers. The number of prisoners working in camps have declined by 1,000 people over the past 12 years. Also, camps are not operating near full capacity. Inmates do a lot of physical labor in the fire camps. The responsibilities of those in the camps can range from clearing firebreaks, restoring historical structures, maintaining parks, sand bagging and flood protection, reforestation and clearing fallen trees and debris. Despite combating active fires that threaten homes and neighborhoods, they also clear thick brush down to bare soil to stop the fire’s spread. According to the CDCR tweet, inmate firefighters serve a vital role in society. Employment opportunities It has become possible for inmate firefighters to find employment in firefighting after being convicted. Cal Fire does not disqualify anyone from employment opportunity after a felony conviction or incarceration. In 2018, CRCR, Cal Fire and the California Conservation Corps established training and certification programs. These programs provide advanced fire fighting training to inmates. While fighting fires, inmates are paid between $2.90 to $5.12 per day. These costs are known to be paid by CDCR and inmates earn an additional $1 per hour from Cal Fire. Although, these inmates are to be paid wages for their labor, It has been brought to public attention through recent california fires; extreme difficulty in getting the emergency medical technician license which is needed to become a city/county firefighter. Due to the criminal record, licenses are very difficult to obtain and even though Cal Fire doesn’t disqualify applicants with felonies, it is still nearly impossible to obtain the emergency medical technician license. There are some seasonal opportunities for inmate firefighters after being incarcerated. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection sometimes provide seasonal opportunities in rural areas. These jobs don’t require EMT certification.

Inmate Escapes Although it is rare for inmates to escape while being on the field fighting the fires, it has taken place. Before. Fernando Deras who is a 31 year old was caught after escaping the camp. Staffers conducted a count and realized that Deras was missing in Sylmar, California. . He was located a few hours later in Hollywood, California. Nicolas Dunning was another inmate serving in Northern California Konocti Conservation Camp. He was not on call when he escaped. Authorities identified a total of 5 inmates who had escaped from the camps but 4 of them were later captured. Armando Castillo, a 31 year old inmate also escaped while working on the Canyon Fire back in 2017. He was last seen on at 4:45PM on Oct 15. Castillo was part of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation camp. Castillo was assigned to fight the fires that initially began on Oct 9th. Canyon Fire burnt more than 9,200 acres in Anaheim. There were approximately 500 inmate firefighters deployed to this fire. Castillo was later found at Valley Inn in Mission Hills. Team of California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation special services unit and Los Angeles Fugitive Apprehension team assisted with the arrest of the escapee. Castillo was found with women named Daisy Castro who had allegedly assisted with the escape. Since castillo had escaped from the conservation camp, he is no longer eligible for fire camp housing. Castillo will also face more severe charges and along with more time added to his sentence. Initially Castillo was convicted for possessing a firearm and evading an officer.

Law leniency Currently, California State law beholds local emergency services to deny EMT certifications to applications with previous convictions of two felonies, currently on parole or probation or, previous committed a felony within 10 years. Many lawmakers have instigated and proposed bills to amend the law which can give opportunity to inmate firefighters a career opportunity post conviction. Recently bill AB 1211 by assemblywomen Eloise Reyes was sidelined during the session by the firefighters association and is said to be presented again in 2020. Firefighter association and other organizations against the bill argue that during fires, firefighters enter homes and other structures which are most vulnerable assets to people being affected by the fires. These organizations believe that hiring anyone with previous criminal record can be too risky. AB 1211 does not bar agencies from screening applicants previous records and that is why the proposed bill is believed to help inmate firefighters. Many have argued in favor of the bill as California has laws in place which prohibit those previously convicted from getting EMT and other licensing requirements. The situation so far has been stalemate as firefighting unions and state legislatures can not come to any agreeable amendments. Movements in favor of inmate firefighters argue that providing previous convicts with steady jobs can prevent them from re-offending. Many organizations fighting for civil rights and liberties stand with inmates. Inmate firefighters have received a lot of attention from lawmakers as well as state representatives and senators. Although the issue of law leniency remains in discussion, many people believe that some sort of amendments will take place in the near future. Sources 

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