How much do incarcerated firefighters get paid? What we know as celebrities call for pay rise amid LA fires

Following the massive devastation caused by the LA wildfires, incarcerated firefighters are being assigned to help citizens. Through the California Conservation Fire Camp program, those in custody are now allowed to participate as volunteer firefighters, offering essential support in the event of disasters.

The program has faced substantial scrutiny and criticism concerning the low wages given to its participants, particularly at a time when celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, lobby for pay reforms.

The California Conservation Fire Camp Program, a collaboration of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), CalFire, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, was created decades ago to mobilize people incarcerated to participate in disaster response. It includes 35 camps in 25 counties, including two women’s camps.

Only battle-tested prisoners are dispatched, having undergone weeks of intense training in firefighting tactics and emergency response. According to a report by NBC News, they are also trained on community service projects, including wildfire mitigation.

The wages of incarcerated firefighters have been an area of conversation. According to CDCR, their base pay is based on skill level and ranges from $5.80 to $10.24 per day.

Participants earn an extra $1 per hour during active emergencies. Although this seems like a step forward, the total compensation is still far less than California’s minimum wage of $16.50 an hour (People).

The lowest-paid participant who works through a 24-hour shift fighting a wildfire would earn $29.80 overall, including the emergency pay.

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More about the benefits and risks the incarcerated firefighters face as Kim Kardashian voices her concerns

The program has long been criticized for relying on low-cost labor; some have compared it to labor exploitation. These concerns were recently amplified when Kim Kardashian used her platform to call for a pay raise for incarcerated firefighters.

She noted the inequity between their life-threatening work and their paltry wages and called on California Governor Gavin Newsom to rectify the issue.

Beyond wages, these firefighters earn time credits that cut sentences short by two days for every day worked with the crew. Due to this, some participants consider the program a golden opportunity for rehabilitation and skill development.

On the other hand, firefighting is an inherently dangerous occupation, and at least three incarcerated firefighters have been killed on the job in recent years.

Laws such as AB 2147 are meant to provide pathways for incarcerated firefighters to become professionals once released. Even many third-party programs, such as the Ventura Training Center, allow individuals to qualify for entry-level positions in nearby city, county, or federal fire agencies.