California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan has introduced a bill that aims to provide inmate firefighters with a fairer compensation structure. Currently, they earn a daily rate of $5.80 to $10.24, but Assembly Bill 247 proposes an hourly wage equal to the lowest non-incarcerated firefighter and a 2-for-1 credit system for their service.
Hundreds of inmate firefighters have been deployed to the frontlines battling the massive and deadly wildfires raging across Southern California. These incarcerated firefighters play a crucial role in firefighting efforts, earning between $5.80 and $10.24 per day according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). However, a recent bill introduced by California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan seeks to significantly improve their compensation.
Assembly Bill 247 proposes that in addition to receiving time credits, inmate firefighters would be paid an hourly wage equivalent to the lowest non-incarcerated firefighter in the state for every hour they actively fight a fire. The bill also mandates that eligible inmate firefighters earn two days of credit for every day of service. Assemblymember Bryan passionately advocates for this change, stating, 'Incarcerated firefighters are on the frontlines saving lives. They are heroes just like everybody else on the frontlines and they deserve to be paid like it.' Currently, while assigned to an active emergency, incarcerated crew members earn an additional $1 per hour paid by CAL FIRE, regardless of their skill level. According to CDCR, during emergencies, crews can work a 24-hour shift followed by 24 hours of rest. For a single 24-hour shift during an active emergency, even the lowest skill level would earn $29.80 per day, and they are compensated during their rest periods as well, as the CDCR explains on their website.In addition to their hourly wage, inmate firefighters also receive valuable time credits. Most incarcerated fire crew members earn 2-for-1 credits, meaning they receive two additional days off their sentence for every day they serve on a fire crew. Camp volunteers who work as support staff but not on a fire crew receive 1-for-1 credits. Inmate firefighters, known as hand crews, utilize hand tools to combat wildfires, a unique approach that doesn't involve water or hoses, as per the CDCR. Participants in the Conservation (Fire) Camp Program can also contribute as camp support and maintenance staff, taking on roles such as cooks, laundry workers, landscapers, and water treatment plant operators. According to CDCR, the primary objective of the Conservation (Fire) Camp Program is to support state, local, and federal government agencies in their response to emergencies, including fires, floods, and other natural disasters. Hand crews also contribute to rescue efforts in local parks and flood suppression operations
INMATE FIRE FIGHTERS CALIFORNIA FIRE BILL COMPENSATION ASSEMBLY BILL 247 LABOR RIGHTS
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