Hey there! Did you know that some of the brave firefighters battling the huge wildfires in California are actually prison inmates? 🚒🔥 Let’s dive into how this works and why they do it!
What Are Wildfires?
California often faces wildfires, which are big fires that spread quickly and can burn forests, homes, and more. These fires can be very dangerous and hard to control.
Who Fights These Fires?
Alongside professional firefighters, there are prison inmates who volunteer to help. About 30% of California’s wildfire fighters are inmates! They go through special training to learn how to fight fires safely.
Why Do Inmates Volunteer?
For many inmates, joining the firefighting team is a chance to help their communities and learn new skills. They also get to spend time outside the prison walls and earn a small wage.
How Does It Work?
Inmates who choose to volunteer receive training just like other firefighters. They work in teams to cut fire lines (areas without trees or plants) to stop fires from spreading. It’s tough and risky work!
Things to Consider
While these inmates are doing important work, there are discussions about whether they should be paid more and have the same protections as other firefighters. It’s a topic many people are talking about!
The Big Picture
Wildfires are a serious challenge, and it takes many brave people to fight them. The help from inmate firefighters makes a big difference in keeping communities safe.
What do you think about inmates helping to fight fires? It’s interesting to see how everyone can play a part in helping others! 😊
Reference(s):
Prison inmates used as cheap labor to fight California fires
cgtn.com
