My name is Sergio. I am a formerly incarcerated firefighter.
My experience with fighting fires gave me purpose when I had none. Standing shoulder to shoulder with my crew, facing walls of flame that seemed impossible to overcome, I found something I never expected in prison: pride in protecting communities and saving lives.
Assembly Bill 247, introduced by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan for the 2025-2026 California Legislative Session, proposes a significant wage increase for incarcerated individuals serving as firefighters during active fire incidents.
The bill mandates a $19 per hour wage for incarcerated firefighters when actively deployed to fire incidents, representing a dramatic increase from the current compensation system. The wage increase acknowledges the inherent value and dignity of the dangerous work incarcerated firefighters perform, recognizing their humanity beyond their incarceration status.
While the law permits up to $10 per hour, many incarcerated firefighters only get paid from a range of $2-$5 an hour during an active fire, with limited conditions of medical treatment.
The daily reality involved confronting extreme dangers: advancing toward towering flames while others evacuated, enduring smoke inhalation that burned the lungs, and pushing through physical exhaustion that tested human limits. The emotional toll was equally significant, witnessing homes reduced to ash, helping devastated residents, and sometimes facing the ultimate responsibility of life-or-death decisions in rapidly evolving fire conditions.
Despite these challenges, the experience proved transformative.
When flames surrounded us and escape seemed impossible, nobody questioned my conviction. At that moment, I was just a firefighter.
AB 247 recognizes what I learned on the fire line - that our humanity and contributions matter more than our mistakes.
The teamwork, discipline, and sense of accomplishment fostered personal growth and rehabilitation that traditional incarceration rarely provides. This firsthand experience underscores why fair compensation matters.
Also, despite extensive firefighting experience and training, former incarcerated firefighters face immediate barriers to employment due to criminal records and licensing restrictions. Many struggle to translate their firefighting skills to civilian jobs, facing rejection from fire departments and related emergency services despite proven capabilities. Those who do find employment often face limited advancement opportunities and lower wages compared to colleagues without criminal records, despite having the same experience.
The wage increase proposed by AB 247 addresses a critical need for financial stability during and after incarceration. Higher wages enable individuals to pay restitution, support families, and build savings essential for successful reentry.
I hope to see this bill pass. I also hope comprehensive reform will follow to address the systemic barriers that prevent qualified formerly incarcerated firefighters from pursuing careers in the field where they've already proven their capabilities and commitment.
