California lawmakers are considering legislation that would help formerly incarcerated firefighters move from prison fire camps into paid firefighting careers, as CAL FIRE and local departments continue to face staffing pressures.
Assembly Bill 2483, authored by Assemblymember Sade Elhawary, D-Los Angeles, would require the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, in partnership with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the California Conservation Camp program, to create a standardized certification process for incarcerated firefighters who complete department training.
Under the measure, eligible individuals who complete firefighting training while incarcerated would receive official written certification before release. Beginning Jan. 1, 2028, qualified formerly incarcerated applicants for Fire Fighter 1 positions would receive hiring preference if they meet the required training and minimum qualifications.
The bill also would allow specified training and fieldwork completed as an incarcerated hand crew member to count toward minimum qualifications for Forestry Technician roles, while authorizing CAL FIRE to extend hiring preference to other entry-level classifications.
California relies heavily on incarcerated firefighting crews during wildfires and other emergencies. More than 1,800 incarcerated firefighters live in conservation camps operated by CDCR, and hundreds were deployed during recent Los Angeles wildfires.
Supporters say the legislation would address a long-running gap in the state’s wildfire workforce: incarcerated firefighters can gain frontline experience while in custody, but many face delays or barriers when seeking fire service jobs after release.
“The more we can expand this program, the better; so many people who go through this program are less likely to re-offend,” Elhawary said. She has also said she hopes the program could eventually include additional incentives, such as earlier release from prison.
AB 2483 follows an earlier proposal, AB 1380, which failed last year. That bill would have required CAL FIRE to reserve at least 15% of vacant Fire Fighter 1 positions each year for formerly incarcerated individuals, drawing opposition from CAL FIRE Local 2881 and California Professional Firefighters.
The new proposal avoids a hiring quota and instead uses hiring preference, while also aiming to streamline certification before release. AB 2483 was re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 1 after advancing from committee with a 5-0 vote.
