During the LA Fires, the courageous incarcerated firefighters emerged as true heroes, bravely protecting homes and communities from destruction. Their stories of bravery and sacrifice inspired people from all over the country to learn more about their stories and this unique program.
ARC’s Executive Director, ARC member, and Ventura Training Center (VT) Alum Eddie Herrera, now an engineer with Cal Fire, were featured across many media outlets, highlighting ARC’s work and telling the stories of these brave heroes and the importance of second chances . They highlighted the CDCR fire camp program, ARC’s work to help forermly incarcerated firefighters obtain careers, and how incarcerated people protect our communities from wildfires.
“I felt a sense of pride, because I knew that I was not being defined by my circumstances. That I could help and make a change. Because, being incarcerated, it’s this sense of feeling like you’re nothing. You’re basically lost, you know? In those moments, I didn’t feel any of that. I felt like I was human again”, said Herrera of the experience in the program
Here is a quick media round-up:
Life As An Incarcerated Firefighter
Living On Earth, January 31, 2025
California’s Incarcerated Firefighters: Heroes on the Frontlines, Building Futures Beyond the Flames
BET, January 23, 2025
How incarcerated firefighters are helping battle the blazes around Los Angeles
PBS, January 22, 2025
Anti-Recidivism Coalition
KTVU, January 21, 2025
Incarcerated firefighters offer aid, find potential career path battling LA blazes
LA Times, January 19, 2025
On LA fire lines, inmates shoulder heavy packs and tackle dangerous work for less than $30 a day
AP, January 18, 2025
‘This has been really devastating’: Inside the lives of incarcerated firefighters battling the LA wildfires
Los Angeles Times , January 17, 2025
Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay, Featuring Sam Lewis
The Ringer , January 17, 2025
$1 an hour: Experts question low wages for California incarcerated firefighters
Daily Bruin , January 16, 2025
Incarcerated Crews Fight Fires for Dollars a Day. Once Free, Jobs Are Hard to Get
KQED, January 15, 2025
‘Running to danger and saving lives’: 1,100 incarcerated firefighters are on the LA frontlines
The Guardian , January 15, 2025
What it’s like to be an incarcerated firefighter
High County News , January 14, 2025
LA-area wildfires: Private crews charge thousands, inmates make $27 a day
News Nation , January 13, 2025
How you can help the incarcerated firefighters battling LA wildfires
LA Times , January 11, 2025