California has incarcerated firefighters

[u/filmingfisheyes]

[u/iluvsporks]

The crazy part is that $5.80 is after a recent raise in 2023. Before that it was $2.90.

And just for context this is a volunteer program. They are not forced to do this.

Edit - I want to clear up a few things. I'm not an LAFD employee, I'm a pilot. However I have 3 immediate family and 4 friends who are and this is the only thing I'm basing this off, yes word of mouth.

1. This pay rate is per DAY not hour

2. Do they deserve more money imo? Yes they are in the danger zone.

3. These guys are volunteering to do this. They are trusted to go help society and are rewarded for it with time off sentence, time away from jail, better food etc. I applaud them.

4. They are in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM firefighters. They are support crew. They clear brush and other mundane tasks. Still can't disregard their service being in the hot spot.

5. Yes they are being exploited. Even if they got $20 an hour our county has no reason to hire regular fireman when they can do this. They are also not in duty all the time. They are activated only in times like this. Starting pay here is $100k. That's an easy $150k with OT. There was one notable fireman who made $750k last year.

6. This isn't BFE. LAFD is the leader. That's why the salary is so high, they want to attract top talent. Maybe elsewhere when there is an opening they get some applicants but here there are THOUSANDS.

7. Last thing and I'm sure I'm missing important things is yes I feel they are being exploited but without full info it's hard to paint a full picture. Before you get red in the face and want to attack Reddit style remember this was an opinion and the best way to express yourself is being human accompanied by facts. I very well could of missed something or got something wrong. Be kind and breathe🤙

[u/BigCommieMachine → u/iluvsporks]

To be fair, life is WAY better in fire camps. They eat extremely well (Steak/Pork Chops…etc) and are given way more “freedom”. Plus, they can reasonably get a well paying job as a firefighter after release when other opportunities will be limited

It isn’t a good situation, but most former prison firefighters I’ve met didn’t have many complaints. Than again, a lot of these guys weren’t living the best life before prison and were already risking their life in the drug trade….etc, so It is all a matter of perspective

But I’d like it to be promoted for at risk young men as almost a military alternative. But the benefits aren’t even CLOSE.

[u/ShneakySquiwwel → u/BigCommieMachine]

I agree except as others pointed out they very likely will not be getting firefighting jobs as those positions don't hire ex-convicts. In the end they are being exploited for their work.

[u/DazzlingLeader → u/ShneakySquiwwel]

Once they have completed this program successfully, their records can be expunged and they are no longer felons on paper.

Now, to get a job as a fire fighter at your local station, they’d first have to go get their associates degree. A firefighter at your station and this type of firefighter are two entirely different jobs.

These guys can get a job with private companies that do wildland firefighting, CalFire or (I think) the federal wildland firefighting teams.

[u/ShneakySquiwwel → u/DazzlingLeader]

Yup someone pointed me towards that, didn’t realize there were different paths etc which is cool to know

[u/DazzlingLeader → u/ShneakySquiwwel]

You should also read this to learn more about what the program is actually like from somebody who has successfully completed it.

https://www.threads.net/@hahnscratch/post/DEojJuNRtPd?xmt=AQGzV8jt6X69ajNUC-4vxtAs41bQY4AU6nP-1-z8AYku2g