Wildland firefighters: Formerly Incarcerated Firefighter Certification and Employment Program.

Assembly Member Elhawary's proposal to formalize employment pathways for formerly incarcerated firefighters would establish new certification and hiring processes within California's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The legislation requires Cal Fire to partner with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide official written certification to individuals who complete firefighting training programs while incarcerated, documenting their CAL-FIRE Forestry Training and S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior coursework.

Under the measure, Cal Fire would grant hiring preference through Category Placement 2 to qualified program graduates by January 2027, while maintaining flexibility to place candidates in higher categories based on their training, certification levels, and work history. The department would track participants approaching release within 90 days and monitor program outcomes including hiring numbers, retention rates, and career advancement. Other state agencies with wildland management responsibilities could create similar hiring pathways for program graduates.

The legislation mandates annual legislative reports for three years on implementation progress and program effectiveness once funding is appropriated. These reports must detail participant outcomes and include recommendations for improvement. The measure's provisions would take effect only after the Legislature allocates funding through the state budget or other legislation.