California lawmakers announce new legislation supporting inmate firefighters

Bill would give inmate firefighters minimum wage

California officials have introduced a bill that would help support inmate firefighters, giving them things like minimum wage, and a path to expungement.

LOS ANGELES - New legislation aimed at supporting inmate firefighters was announced on Tuesday by Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Congresswoman Judy Chu.

What we know:

The legislation, known as the Fairness, Inclusion, Rehabilitation, and Expungement for Incarcerated Firefighters (FIRE) Act, aims to support incarcerated individuals who are on the frontlines of fighting wildfires in California and nationwide.

The FIRE Act proposes to establish fair labor standards, provide occupational protections, and expand opportunities for both current and formerly incarcerated individuals in firefighting. 

SUGGESTED: Inmate firefighters could see pay raise under proposed CA bill

SUGGESTED COVERAGE: Inmate firefighters could see possible pay raise

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan introduced a bill that would give inmate firefighters a pay raise.

Prison inmates have been a significant factor in California firefighting efforts for many years. Volunteers train and work with firefighters, as part of the state's Conservation Fire Camp programs, usually getting paid between $5 and $10 an hour, according to the Department of Corrections.

These firefighters reportedly earned between $5-$10 per day and often face barriers to future firefighting careers due to their criminal records.

What they're saying:

Kamlager-Dove said inmate firefighters should at least be making minimum wage. 

"This FIRE Act is just saying 'we want folks to have at-par equipment and protection with other folks who are doing the same work," Kamlager-Dove said during a press conference Tuesday. 

It's believed that in any given forest fire, about 10% of the crew are prison inmates. 

"Today, incarcerated people make up a significant percentage of our state's and nation's firefighting workforce despite the lack of compensation, labor standards, occupational protection, and reentry and employment support upon release," said Summer Lacey with the ACLU of Southern California. 

Why you should care:

This proposed legislation addresses critical issues for incarcerated firefighters who perform dangerous and essential work. 

The Fire Act would, for example, recognize incarcerated firefighters as employees who are entitled to a protected minimum wage. The act would also establish a pathway for expungement for incarcerated firefighters upon successful completion of probation and re-entry. Currently, most fire agencies prohibit criminal backgrounds for employment.

The act would also push for more safety and transparency, requiring annual safety reports from all relevant facilities.

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