Identifying Barriers
Training | Certifications | Stigma
Embedded Files
Recommendations: Training, Certifications & Stigma
1) When possible, provide scholarships or paid stipends to support individuals with limited resources, including those who are justice-impacted, to access and fully engage in academic training and credential opportunities for forestry and fire positions.
2) Expand support for certificate training programs such as FFRP or Community College Wildland Fire Programs.
Access to Training & Certificates
Certificates earned in fire camp are not recognized as valid by employers regardless of similar curriculum or training requirements.
“There's really no official certificate [from fire camp] that they get that means anything”
- CAL FIRE Supervisor
Certificates are the most important component for entering into the wildland firefighting profession (n=13)
Formerly incarcerated firefighters must repeat certificate coursework upon release at personal expense (n = 9)
“These folks [Formerly Incarcerated Firefighters] are having to redo a whole entire basic training course to be able to actually be qualified, even though they've been working fire two or three years. ” - Private Contractor Hiring Manager
Formerly incarcerated individuals are unable to obtain Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificates, a key certification for state and municipal fire positions (n=5)
Stipulations of parole, such as allowable geographic area or job requirements, may make attending training programs infeasible (n=7)
Barriers to a Fire Career
Fire Academy Expenses
While some trainees may be sponsored by employers to participate in these academies, many individuals have to cover their own costs. The financial barrier is significant for those who have limited income and savings, which is common for recently incarcerated individuals. Please note that every organization that offers training offers different levels of support for out-of-pocket costs.
As an example, three of FFRP's recent graduates participated in the Yuba College Fire Academy in Marysville, CA, approximately 2-3 hours from their homes in the Bay Area. Our recent trainees spent ~$4600 to train at Yuba Fire Academy. They each spent ~$1500 on lodging and transportation for the five weekends required for training on top of the ~$3000 in other expenses needed for participation in the program.
Additional Barriers: Record Disclosure and Stigma
Additional Barriers: Record Disclosure and Stigma
Justice Impacted Individuals weigh disclosure of criminal records on their job applications over concerns of being discriminated against (n=7)
“There’s definitely some stigma and that's why I would maybe hold back from sharing like, Hey, I was an inmate a firefighter or I was in; I would just say, I was a volunteer. They may not know that you already are in a process or you're already doing something, or you already done something to change your life”
- Former Incarcerated Firefighter, Current USFS Permanent Firefighter
Justice Impacted Individuals or BIPOC may experience prejudice while living in predominantly white, rural communities near their duty stations (n=3)
“The supervisors have to have some upfront conversations with the different communities, because if the communities are not open to having people that are different, the [BIPOC seasonals] are going to struggle.” - USFS Regional Forester
In The Trainees Words
In this documentary, FFRP Cohort 2 Graduate Ruth Alvarenga reflects on what the experience is like in and out of fire camp, and why lived experience matters. (Playback at 8:45-10:30)
Page updated
Report abuse