Incarcerated Firefighters Get a Fair Shot with Firefighting to Freedom Legislative Package
SACRAMENTO – As California confronts yet another dangerous wildfire season, state lawmakers announce the Firefighting to Freedom legislative package – a bold effort to honor the courage and service of incarcerated firefighters and remove the barriers they face when returning home.
California has more than 1,800 incarcerated firefighters. While essential to the state’s wildfire response, they are paid as little as $5.80 a day and only an extra $1 an hour when actively fighting a fire. After release, these unsung heroes face overwhelming obstacles if they want to serve as professional firefighters, in addition to typical barriers of reentry such as restrictions on housing and education.
The Firefighting to Freedom bill package includes seven bills, five of which passed their houses of origin with unanimous support. Together, they honor the service and sacrifice of incarcerated firefighters, provide meaningful reentry opportunities, and promote safer, healthier communities:
AB 247 (Bryan) – Requires incarcerated individual fire crew members to be paid $7.25 an hour while fighting an active fire. Co-sponsored by Initiate Justice, Initiate Justice Action, & Anti-Recidivism Coalition.
AB 799 (C. Rodriguez) – Requires CDCR to pay a death benefit for the death of any incarcerated fire crew members in the California Conservation Camps. Co-sponsored by Initiate Justice Action.
AB 812 (Lowenthal) – Requires CDCR to issue regulations for referring incarcerated fire crew members to the court for resentencing. Co-sponsored by Initiate Justice.
AB 952 (Elhawary) – Makes the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program permanent and authorizes expansion of the program. Co-sponsored by Initiate Justice Action & Anti-Recidivism Coalition.
AB 1380 (Elhawary) – Creates a path for formerly incarcerated fire camp participants to qualify for Firefighter I positions at CAL FIRE. Co-sponsored by Michelson Center for Public Policy, Prosecutors Alliance Action, The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, & Initiate Justice Action.
SB 245 (Reyes) – Expedites expungement relief for formerly incarcerated fire crew members. Co-sponsored by Californians for Safety and Justice, Anti-Recidivism Coalition, & Initiate Justice Action.
SB 423 (Smallwood-Cuevas) – Expands fire-related college courses, establishes enhanced CAL FIRE training and LA County Local Handcrew Pilot Program. Co-sponsored by Incarcerated Firefighter Workforce Coalition.
These bills have been guided by the lived experience of incarcerated firefighters and the challenges they faced when returning home.
Chief Royal Ramey, Co-Founder and CEO of The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program: "I served as an incarcerated firefighter, and today I train and mentor men and women who have put their lives on the line in California’s fire camps. I can say with confidence that this bill package is a game-changer. It recognizes the humanity, skill, and courage of incarcerated firefighters and ensures they are treated with the dignity and respect they’ve long earned. With fire seasons growing longer and more dangerous, we are only going to need more skilled and experienced firefighters. These bills will strengthen our fire response, open real pathways to reentry, and make every community in California safer."
The bill authors have developed a robust package that recognizes the value and experience of the incarcerated firefighters who are on the frontlines of protecting our loved ones, homes, and businesses across California.
Assemblymember Sade Elhawary (AD-57): “During the LA fires this year, it was incarcerated people on the frontlines. Not for glory. Not for pay. But because they were called to protect, and they answered. The Firefighting to Freedom package is about more than policy. It’s about basic respect. It’s about building a system that stops using people and starts believing in them. Redemption shouldn’t be rare. It should be built in. And if we say we care about public safety, then we better start caring about the people who provide it.”
Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (AD-55): "Incarcerated firefighters are on the front lines throughout California doing life-saving work. They deserve our gratitude and to be compensated fairly with a wage that respects their humanity and heroism.”
Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez (AD-43): “As fires and high winds tore through our districts in January, we saw incarcerated firefighters step up to protect our communities. I introduced AB 799 because incarcerated firefighters risked their lives to safeguard our homes and our families. This bill is about basic human dignity. If one of them tragically loses their life in the line of duty, we have a responsibility to honor their sacrifice and support the families they leave behind.”
Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (AD-69): “While incarcerated fire crew volunteers’ efforts on the front lines of protecting the people and property of California is exemplary on its own, their work and focus on rehabilitation is seen long before they are sent to battle fires. Through meeting the numerous requirements to even be considered for Fire Camp programs, these individuals don’t just deserve a second chance, but they have rather earned their second chance. As many of us Californians have these folks to thank for quite literally saving our communities, I am proud to stand by my colleagues and author thoughtful legislation to bring justice to these Fire Camp heroes.”
Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes (SD-29): “Growing up, I was taught that a promise made must be a promise kept. The individuals who are eligible for expungement have paid their debt to society while serving on the front lines of the most dangerous wildfires in our state’s history. These courageous – and qualified – individuals have earned the opportunities before them and it is our duty to remove the barriers that stand between them and successful futures.”
Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (SD-28): “SB 423 acknowledges the tremendous skill and sacrifice of incarcerated firefighters by ensuring they have enhanced access to the academic courses, certifications, and programming that lead to real opportunities upon release. For too long, the state has exploited our incarcerated fire crews by putting them in harm’s way, with little opportunity for employment upon their release. SB 423 expands our state’s commitment to our incarcerated fire crews by ensuring they receive the support they need to be better prepared to continue their service to the state after their time has been served. In doing so, SB 423 will help the state fill our critical public safety needs, reduce recidivism, and offer our most deserving individuals a path to a meaningful career.”
The bill package is supported by a broad coalition of advocates committed to building a more inclusive and effective fire response system in California.
###
The Michelson Center for Public Policy (MCPP) is a 501(c)(4) organization advancing legislative change through strategic collaboration with policymakers, advocacy organizations, and civic leaders. Focused on education, equity, justice, medical research, and animal welfare, MCPP complements the work of Michelson Philanthropies through bold, effective advocacy. Learn more at www.michelsonpolicy.org.
The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP) is a nonprofit organization that provides career support to formerly incarcerated firefighters and those currently incarcerated in California’s Conservation Camps; who are interested in careers in the Wildland and Forestry sector. FFRP was developed in direct response to the growing need for wildfire-related personnel. Our mission is to increase wildfire personnel from non-traditional and underrepresented communities, providing them the training, skills, resources, and experience needed to secure gainful employment. https://www.forestryfirerp.org/
Founded and led by Californians directly impacted by the justice system, Initiate Justice Action mobilizes the collective power of system-impacted people to advocate for policies that end mass incarceration. https://ijaction.org/
Prosecutors Alliance Action brings together the voices of prosecutors, victim advocates, and allies to advocate for prosecutorial reform and policy solutions that advance long-term safety and well-being in all communities. For more information, visit www.prosecutorsallianceaction.org.
