Why so many incarcerated people are fighting L.A.’s wildfires
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Why are incarcerated firefighters battling wildfires in California?
A second volume of the special counsel's report focusing on the classified documents case against Trump has not been publicly released. As always, you can follow the latest on breaking news in the Apple News app. Now to Southern California, where wildfires have leveled entire communities over the past week. While firefighters are making progress, dangerously strong winds in the forecast could halt that progress and threaten even more communities. Battling a disaster of this magnitude requires a lot of hands on deck. More than 15,000 people are part of firefighting efforts, and not all of them are from California. Some are from nearby states, others from Canada and Mexico. Here's Governor Gavin Newsom speaking on Saturday.
Yeah, we're blessed. Prime Minister in Canada called, reached out. Foreign Minister in Mexico reached out, offered assistance. You've seen that assistance right here from Mexico. Our Canadian partners are coming in Monday. We have all the Western states that are providing mutual aid.
What percentage of California's firefighting force is made up of incarcerated individuals?
Private firefighters are also on the ground, employed by wealthy Los Angeles residents and, in some cases, insurance companies to protect property. One notable group among the firefighting personnel right now is incarcerated people. There are nearly 1,000 imprisoned people out on the front lines battling multiple fires for the past week.
What are the benefits for incarcerated firefighters?
About 10 to 15 percent of California's firefighting force is made up of incarcerated people. Incarcerated firefighters in California are technically volunteers. They choose to join the fire program. They do get paid about $5 to $10 a day, plus an extra dollar per hour in active fires. They also have to be accepted to a specialized training program before they're sent out.
Working as a firefighter in prison was a very coveted position. It was hard to kind of get accepted.
What challenges do incarcerated firefighters face after serving?
That's Amika Mota, a formerly incarcerated person who worked as a firefighter in California, speaking to NowThis. Mota says that convicted people can shave time off their sentences for volunteering, which she says is a big reason a lot of prisoners try to get into these programs. But despite that, she says the low compensation and dangerous conditions are a steep price to pay.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
Why are incarcerated firefighters battling wildfires in California?
2:15–3:26
2
What percentage of California's firefighting force is made up of incarcerated individuals?
3:26–3:47
3
What are the benefits for incarcerated firefighters?
3:47–4:16
4
What challenges do incarcerated firefighters face after serving?
4:16–4:39
5
How has the law changed for former incarcerated individuals seeking firefighting jobs?
4:39
6
What ethical concerns surround the use of incarcerated firefighters?
4:10–6:46
7
What is President Biden's foreign policy legacy?
6:46–13:55
Speakers
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