Los Angeles, California -This month, a series of wind -driven mountains in Southern California caused unprecedented destruction, so the firefighters, which were currently imprisoned and previously imprisoned, are fighting to reduce flames. I was at the forefront.
The California firefighting program has long been criticized for the dependence on imprisoned workers facing low wages and dangerous situations.
However, the program supporters have pointed out that in recent years, firefighters who have been imprisoned have taken measures to expand their opportunities to pursue their careers at the time of release.
Brian Conroy, the captain of the state fire organization Cal Fire, has recently fought to fight Kenneth Fire and Parisise Fire in northern Los Angeles, led a formerly imprisoned firefighter crew.
In mid -January, he explained that about 432 people have passed the Fire Certification Program for those who have been relieved of the Ventura Training Center (VTC) since October 2018.
“This program is a kind,” said a tall, stubborn man in a dark blue CAL fire uniform.
“These people have lived under pressure, so they work well under pressure.”
Defigned labor
According to California’s legislative analyst office (LAO), about 1,747 workers live in 35 “conservative fire trucks” networks. The camp is jointly managed by Cal Fire, California Orthodontics (CDCR) and Los Angeles County Fire Bureau.
In the camp, individuals learn firefighting skills such as clearing brushes and handling heavy equipment, and creating a fire line. It also receives active physical training necessary to breed nearly 30 kg (65 pounds) gears through sudden and difficult terrain in California.
The role of those who were imprisoned in the state firefighting activities is considerable. The numbers may vary from year to year, but imprisoned firefighters may account for 30 % of the wilderness in the state of the state.
Program supporters point out that it is spontaneous, and participants can cut their own text.
They also say that spending outdoor time, engaging in the work that benefits community, is an attractive alternative to the mediocre routine in prison. Conroye explained that many people have found an exciting job with a substantial fight for fire.
“If you talk to some of these crew members, they will say that they would have happened so far,” said Conroy.
Explosive mountain fire
But work is intense and sometimes dangerous. Using imprisoned workers will significantly reduce costs in the state and scrutinize the motivation behind the program.
“The lives of the imprisoned people are not expensive,” said Amikaba, an executive director of the Sisters Warriors Freedom Union, a Monday statement.
Mota himself is a imprisoned firefighter, and her organization hopes to increase the safety of all the people in California’s prison. She pointed out that when a wildfire approached prison, the authorities were sometimes slow to keep people away from harm.
“They are as secure as other areas in the affected community,” she said.
Critics have also pointed out wage contradictions as one of the disadvantages of the fire program.
A dignified worker will be paid only a portion of the wages received by non -contained crew. They receive $ 10.24 from $ 5.80 a day. This can increase $ 1 per hour if it is deployed to fight the fire.
Nevertheless, with the collision, the daily wage is only about $ 29.80 in 24 -hour work.
In comparison, the monthly salary of Cal Fire employees is $ 3,672 to $ 4,643, working beyond the normal schedule between $ 1,824 and $ 2,306 for “extended work week compensation”. It is the time of time.
Critics are also increasing the need for extra hands in the fire world, and paying attention to the imprisoned labor for states is more attractive.
The fire season in California is all year round. For example, in January, the nation is not usually when the nation has seen a strong fire activity, but the rainless moon has created an explosive fire growth in the shrub chapalal landscape in the southern area.
On January 7, both Parisard and Eaton fire exploded. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the failure of the electrical equipment is estimated early.
The strength of 160 kilometers / h (100 miles / h) is useful for blowing off flames, making it almost impossible to contain them. They spread the black community of the Pacific Parisards and Altadena in the black community, leveling their roads.
According to Cal Fire, Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire are now the second and third destructive in state history, and the 9,418 and 6,662 structures are destroyed. At least 17 people died in Eaton Blaze, killing 11 people in Parisade.
“This devastation is a very difficult drug for those who have been going for a long time,” said Conroy. “It’s not the only house when someone loses a house, it’s all about them, and it’s a picture of a childhood memory.”
However, the status of the workers who are in charge of flames, and the compensation they receive to do so remain the sustainable discussion in California.
Legislative measures
The state parliament has been taking some measures in recent years to change the imprisoned firefighter program in accordance with some of the criticism.
In September 2020, Governor Gavin NEWSOM signed Bill AB 2147. This has been able to abolish the recorded firefighters with the history of non -violent crime.
As a result, they will be held on the occasion of pursuing careers that may hinder their criminal history, such as professional firefighting and emergency services.
Senator Eloise Gomez Rayes, who sponsored the bill, said in a statement e -mail -mailed to Al Jazira. “We are urging the fire skills to confirm that after the firefighting skills are developed by an individual who have been imprisoned, they will confirm that they will provide opportunities to continue to provide the community as full -time.” 。 Firefighter.
This month, Isaac Brian, a member of the state council, has introduced a law to pay the imprisoned firefighters to pay the same time as non -acquisition firefighters as the lowest wage.
The bill may be heard on February 15 at the Finance Committee of Congress.
A 41 -year -old Andry Hell Nandes, who completed the program at the Ventura Training Center and recently sent a recruitment application to Calfire, said he never imagined that he would be a firefighter when he first entered prison. 。
“It will not have been a million years,” he laughed and calls the program “change life.”
“We made some bad decisions. We did some bad things, but I want to level the stadium. I want to do something to give back.”
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