Inmate firefights are poorly paid, and are banned from serving as firefighters once released.
Recently, two major wildfires burned in both Southern and Northern California, causing untold amounts of damage — and killing dozens of people. The Camp Fire and the Woolsey Fire made international news for their size and the amount of destruction that they caused. Another aspect of these fires drew considerable attention was the use of inmates to fight fires.
In California, the state offers a program known as Fire Camp for people convicted of non-violent offenses. Fire Camp is a way for inmates to gain freedom and reduce the total amount of time served in jail. As an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney can explain, qualified participants attend camps, where they are trained as firefighters. Each year, Fire Camp participants provide nearly 3 million person hours responding to fires in California — a number that may increase in years like 2018, where there were a number of massive wildfires.
There are a number of upsides to the Fire Camp program. One key benefit is that participants can slash their jail time by as much as half by earning 2 days of credit for every 1 day served in Fire Camp (as opposed to 2 days of credit for every 2 days served in jail or prison). In Fire Camp, you also have the opportunity to be outside, away from a prison or jail facility, and to learn a new skill.
However, this brings up one of the most significant drawbacks of the Fire Camp program. This new skill does not generally translate to life after incarceration. As many critics of the program have pointed out, most inmates are prohibited from becoming firefighters after they are released. Under California law, firefighters are required to be licensed as emergency medical technicians (EMTs). State licensing boards for EMTs are permitted to block anyone with a criminal record from becoming an EMT — which disqualifies anyone who served as a firefighter at Fire Camp. According to a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, this raises the question of why an inmate is deemed fit to fight fires when incarcerated, yet too much of a public safety risk to be a firefighter once he paid his debt to society and has been released.
Another disadvantage faced by prisoners who take part in the Fire Camp program is the pay. Inmate firefighters earn $2 per day, and $1 per hour when they are fighting an active fire. On average, professional firefighters in California earn $74,000 per year. Fighting fires — especially large wildfires like the Camp Fire and Woolsey Fire — can be incredibly dangerous. The incredibly low wages may be a drawback for many inmates considering Fire Camp.
There are a number of requirements that must be met in order to qualify for Fire Camp. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will look at whether you are eligible to participate, which will depend on the type of sentence that you received and the amount of time left on your sentence. Next, your criminal record will be reviewed. Finally, your physical and mental health will be examined. If you are considering Fire Camp, consult with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to determine if you may be eligible and if it makes sense given your situation.
At the Chambers Law Firm, we are highly experienced in a range of California criminal law matters, including ways in which people convicted of crimes may be able to reduce their sentences. If you have been charged with a crime or are otherwise involved in the California criminal justice system, we can help. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation.
