By Edward Henderson, California Black Media
Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) wants to amend the state’s penal code to increase the salaries incarcerated firefighters earn while they are actively fighting fires.
Assembly Bill (AB) 247 would require inmate firefighters who have completed training for assignment to a state or county facility to be paid an hourly rate equal to the lowest nonincarcerated firefighter in the state (around $28 per hour).
“I think every time we have a major wildfire, we call in incarcerated firefighters who step in heroically to help suppress these fires. And every time that that happens, we have a long conversation about how they’re risking their lives for subminimum pay,” Bryan told California Black Media (CBM).
“I refuse to let this moment where California and Los Angeles in particular, has experienced its largest wildfire, be another moment where we just talk about this issue,” Bryan continued.
During the wildfires that raged in Southern California last month, more than 900 incarcerated firefighters were dispatched to battle the flames. Incarcerated firefighters work on teams called ‘hand crews,’ using hand tools to clear vegetation and create firebreaks that slow the spread of wildfires. During the emergencies, it’s common for responders to work in 24-hour shifts despite the grueling conditions.
While the position is voluntary, the work can be dangerous and even deadly, says Bryan.
Despite the life-threatening conditions the incarcerated firefighters face, their pay is between $5.80 and $10.24 per day, earning an additional $1 per hour when responding to emergencies and up to $26.90 over a 24-hour shift. These wages are lower than what the lowest-level firefighters earn for only an hour of work.
Under existing law, a prisoner can reduce his or her term of imprisonment by earning a two-day credit for every one day served fighting a fire. This would not change under the new bill.
The lower wages incarcerated firefighters earn are legal due to provisions in the U.S. and California constitutions that permits involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime.
Last November, California voters rejected a ballot initiative, Proposition (Prop) 6, that would have amended the State Constitution to outlaw involuntary servitude in California.
“While it’s disappointing that our measure to remove slavery from California’s constitution was not approved by the voters, this setback does not end the fight,” said Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) in a statement after the election.
Wilson, a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), authored the legislation that became Prop 6.
“Together, we will continue pushing forward to ensure that our state’s constitution reflects the values of equality and freedom that all Californians deserve,” added Wilson.
On Feb. 6, Wilson reintroduced Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 6 in another effort to repeal language in the California Constitution that prohibits involuntary servitude except to punish crime and replace it with language prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude absolutely.
Bryan’s AB 247, however, has more modest goals. It would increase pay only for incarcerated firefighters actively fighting wildfires, aiding in structure fires and responding to overdoses and roadside accidents. They are often put in harm’s way responding to these situations as well.
“Every single firefighter that is out there right now, I’m sure they’re proud to be there,” said former incarcerated firefighter Amika Mota in an interview with The Marshall Project. “Every single one of those people has signed away their rights to any sort of compensation if they die on the fireground. They’re putting themselves on the frontlines without really understanding the health impacts long-term.”
Bryan visited a base camp for incarcerated firefighters in Pasadena last month to spend time with some of the incarcerated firefighters and hear their stories firsthand.
“Many of them are coming home in the not-too-distant future. Being paid a dignified wage for your life-saving work, fighting these fires is actually part of helping folks succeed in their reentry back into society,” said Bryan.
A few celebrities have also recently shown their support for inmate firefighters. Kim Kardashian has been outspoken about the need for wage increases. NFL quarterback CJ Stroud and singers John Legend and Chris Brown also visited the same Pasadena base camp Bryan visited to speak with program members.
“Not supporting folks who are doing this kind of work is setting them up to continue to cycle from poverty to incarceration. They were all incredibly excited, grateful to be seen,” said Bryan.
