New California Law Opens a Path to Cal Fire Jobs for Former Prison Firefighters

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law that gives formerly incarcerated firefighters a direct route to jobs with Cal Fire, the state’s firefighting agency, CalMatters reported. Assembly Bill 2483 standardizes the credentials firefighters earn in prison and gives them hiring priority for certain entry-level positions.

Certificates earned in prison will count on the outside

Many people serving time in California fight wildfires on prison crews, but the training and experience they gain has not translated cleanly into firefighting jobs after release. The new law is meant to change that.

The law, also called the Formerly Incarcerated Firefighter Certification and Employment Program, aims to fix that. By 2028, it should give returning firefighters credentials that match the requirements for entry-level Cal Fire jobs, which can lead to a six-figure income and a state pension.

“The bill tells incarcerated firefighters that their hard-earned experience counts.” — Royal Ramey, chief executive, Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program

A former prison firefighter helped write the compromise

Ramey fought fires while incarcerated himself and later went through a regular fire academy rather than rely on his prison certificate, Good News Network noted. His nonprofit worked with Assemblymember Sade Elhawary, a Los Angeles Democrat, to steer the bill through.

Passing it took almost two years. An earlier version stalled over concerns, including from Cal Fire’s union, that it would create a hiring quota. The final language gives formerly incarcerated firefighters preference in hiring without guaranteeing them a job, according to CalMatters.