Sound the Alarm! California's Prisoners Help Fight Wild Fires

July 11, 2008

California has called on a plentiful resource — prisoners — to save the state's natural resources from devastating fires. About 2,500 prisoners are fighting the thousands of wild fires engulfing California. The convicted helping hands are not amateurs; California has maintained a prisoner firefighter training program for 60 years.

Serving fellow citizens during an emergency provides an unfamiliar role for former criminals, giving them an opportunity to help society rather than burden it. Taking their jobs seriously, few convicts have escaped during the course of the program. Those driving by pull over to say thank you, and one prisoner said: "Even though I have to wear these colors, I still feel important."

Firefighter training seems like a great way to pass on work skills to inmates, while giving them a tie to the community and a chance for respect — the lack of these things might have caused the crimes in the first place.

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18 Comments

TheEnchantedOne 4 years

raciccarone, you're pretty funny. Haha!

TheEnchantedOne 4 years

Now, that's what I call rehabilitation. Great idea.

TheEnchantedOne 4 years

Now, that's what I call rehabilitation. Great idea.

Nyrina Windu 4 years

"California has maintained a prisoner firefighter training program for 60 years"Wow, and I'm sure nobody cares to argue when it comes to who's saving their homes and the land. But hopefully all of these trainees are the ones who only committed petty crimes that they only got maybe 1-3 years for. I don't think those prisoners with less jail time on their hands would be so stupid that they would try to escape and gain more time. Usally prisoners with heavy sentences try to escape.

Nyrina Windu 4 years

"California has maintained a prisoner firefighter training program for 60 years" Wow, and I'm sure nobody cares to argue when it comes to who's saving their homes and the land. But hopefully all of these trainees are the ones who only committed petty crimes that they only got maybe 1-3 years for. I don't think those prisoners with less jail time on their hands would be so stupid that they would try to escape and gain more time. Usally prisoners with heavy sentences try to escape.

kia 4 years

I've been on fires with convict crews. It is only odd in the fire camp where the guys live in tents like every one else but have a guards designating zones other people can walk in. So after a 16 hour day when you are tired and ready to drop thus scrambling around a fire camp you can have a random guard with a gun suddenly barking at you to walk 100 feet in a different direction. Other than that those crews are awesome.

Jude C 4 years

*because of the San Diego wildfires, I meant.

Jude C 4 years

*because <b>of</b> the San Diego wildfires, I meant.

Jude C 4 years

Since I live in a very wildfire-prone area (last year I ended up with a full week off work because the San Diego wildfires--FIRESTORM 2007, according to local news), I can say that any and all help is appreciated. :)

LadyAngel89 4 years

I think that's a great idea, especially for those that aren't looking for every opportunity to escape. Definitely something different than average for them and they are doing something that deserves a lot of respect!

UnDave35 4 years

That would reduce the prison population.

yesteryear 4 years

LET THEM ALL BURN!!!

yesteryear 4 years

LET THEM ALL BURN!!!

UnDave35 4 years

Good for them. It gives them a chance to help the community, and gets them into the fresh air for awhile. I hope their records reflect their efforts.

hypnoticmix 4 years

Boy talk about a field trip. Enjoy the stretch while you can boys and thank you for helping out. This is an example of good sense. I just knew it was out there somewhere.

hypnoticmix 4 years

Boy talk about a field trip. Enjoy the stretch while you can boys and thank you for helping out. This is an example of good sense. I just knew it was out there somewhere.