Wildland firefighters: Formerly Incarcerated Firefighter Certification and Employment Program.

Assembly Member Elhawary's proposal to establish a standardized certification pathway for incarcerated firefighters would require the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to provide official documentation to individuals who complete firefighter training while incarcerated. The certification would qualify recipients for Fire Fighter 1 positions within the department upon their release.

Under the measure, CAL FIRE would partner with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to implement comprehensive certification standards covering wildland fire service, safety training, fire behavior, first aid, and hazardous materials handling. Beginning January 2027, the department would reserve 15% of vacant Fire Fighter 1 positions annually for qualified formerly incarcerated individuals, provided sufficient applications are received from certified candidates. The bill allows other state agencies with wildland management duties to create similar hiring pathways.

The legislation requires CAL FIRE to track program participation, monitor position availability for upcoming releases, and report annually to the Legislature on implementation outcomes including hiring rates and career advancement. These provisions would take effect upon appropriation of necessary funding through the state budget process. The measure builds upon existing collaboration between CAL FIRE and the California Conservation Camp program, which currently enables incarcerated individuals to work on fire prevention and control projects under department supervision.