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Here's what to know about the California inmate firefighter program. Inmate firefighters dig a containment line as they battle the Palisades Fire on Jan. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles, CA. The ...
In response to firefighter labor shortages during World War II, the Rainbow Conservation Camp was established as the first permanent fire camp, in 1946. It was modeled after New Deal Civilian Conservation Corps camps. The program grew to 16 camps throughout California in the 40s and 50s, including the first youth camps.
The inmate firefighting program dates back to 1915 but largely expanded in California in the 1940s because of firefighter shortages during World War II, according to the CDCR.
As the department explains, the program gives inmates who meet certain eligibility requirements the option to embed with first responders from Cal Fire and the Los Angeles County Fire Department ...
Inmates in the program also earn supplemental pay while responding to emergencies. Cal Fire pays an additional $1 an hour, regardless of firefighters' skill level.
CCC members are involved in job training programs as Type 1 Hand Crew firefighters, supervised by CAL FIRE personnel, in increasing prevalence to offset CDCR inmates as the incarcerated firefighter program is closed. Programs to control wood boring insects and diseases of trees are under forestry programs managed by CAL FIRE.
The practice isn’t new; California has been using inmate firefighters since as far back as 1915, and began a fire camp program to properly train the inmates in firefighting methods began in 1946 ...
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 ...