A few thousand of those firefighters in CA are prisoners, at CDCR fire camps, who are paid around $2 to 5 a day plus $1 an hour while fighting wild fires. Several have died, but since they’re not “employees,” their families don’t get state death benefits. After their release, the vast majority cannot use their training to become firefighters due to their criminal record. A bill to change that was recently gutted by the CA legislature. Those firefighters need more than thanks.
A few thousand of those firefighters in CA are prisoners, at CDCR fire camps, who are paid around $2 to 5 a day plus $1 an hour while fighting wild fires. Several have died, but since they’re not “employees,” their families don’t get state death benefits. After their release, the vast majority cannot use their training to become firefighters due to their criminal record. A bill to change that was recently gutted by the CA legislature. Those firefighters need more than thanks.