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