Conservation "Fire" Camps
Working Conditions | Fire Captains
Recommendations: Fire Camps
1) Make certificates and training while incarcerated transferable through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) or Cal Fire.
2) Expand support for fire captains as critical mentors and bridges to forestry and fire career opportunities upon release.
Overview of California's Conservation Camps
Work Conditions for Incarcerated Firefighters
Once incarcerated volunteers pass the physical fitness test, they must complete CAL FIRE’s Firefighting Training (FFT) program. Training consists of four days of classroom training and four days of field training, taught by CAL FIRE staff. In contrast a basic CAL FIRE Fire Academy consists of 5 weekends of training.
According to the CDCR, conservation camp incarcerated fire crew members earn between $2.90 and $5.13 per day depending on skill level, paid by CDCR. While assigned to an active emergency, incarcerated fire crew members earn an additional $1 per hour paid by CAL FIRE, regardless of skill level. During emergencies, crews can work a 24-hour shift, followed by 24 hours of rest. For example, for one 24 hour shift during an active emergency, the lowest skill level would earn $26.90 per day. They are paid during rest periods, as well.
Fire Camp Captains
Fire Captains are a critical resource to incarcerated firefighters, and often function as an antithesis to the correctional officers. (n = 10)
"The guys there the captains that were there with us. They were next level dudes, man, great people. Very supportive. Dude, I still have their support to this day, man. And they've helped me get to where I'm at now."
- Formerly Incarcerated turned Professional Firefighter
Incarcerated firefighters interested in professional wildland firefighting talk with fire captains as initial point of contact (n=6)
Fire Camp Captains may identify good candidates for future wildland fire careers and may invest energy to support their professional development while in camp (n=4)
Fire Captains take it upon themselves to offer guidance, without institutional support (n=5)
“You know, we're discouraged from writing letters of recommendation, because in the past, those letters have been taken and new names have been put on them."
- CAL FIRE Captain
