Media Contact:
Claire Gross, Sr. Manager of Public Relations
cgross@ceoworks.org | 646) 370-8292
“As an organization committed to advancing economic mobility and expanding opportunity for people returning from incarceration, we believe that no one should be denied dignity, safety, or fair pay, especially those who serve on the frontlines of crisis. In the wake of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and across California, this legislation sends a powerful message: those who put their lives on the line to protect our communities deserve to be treated with dignity and compensated accordingly.”
Each year, California’s reliance on incarcerated firefighters grows. Individuals who serve our communities through CDCR’s Conservation Camps respond to wildfires, medical emergencies, and local disasters with courage and skill. Yet, despite performing the same dangerous work as their CalFire counterparts, they have long been denied basic protections, including fair pay and access to disability insurance when injured.
AB 247 begins to address these injustices by raising pay to $19 per hour for incarcerated firefighters actively responding to emergencies. This is a long-overdue opportunity for increased economic justice for incarcerated workers, and a smart investment in public safety and workforce readiness.
We call on Governor Newsom to sign AB 247—and we urge California lawmakers to advance additional fire-related justice reforms:
CEO urges Governor Newsom to sign the bill, which will chart a path toward justice, economic mobility, and wildfire resilience. They ensure that the people who risk their lives for California while incarcerated are equipped with the tools, training, and recognition they need to rebuild their lives and protect ours.”
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About the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides immediate, effective and comprehensive employment services exclusively to people recently released from incarceration. CEO currently operates in more than 30 cities across 12 states and is dedicated to ensuring that justice-impacted individuals have opportunities to achieve socioeconomic mobility. For more information, visit ceoworks.org.