Just Wildfire Workforce

Master's Students:

Chloe Hernandez

Kendall Koenen

Hibi Wu

Daniela Giordano

Lexi Crilley

Mentoring Team:

Paige Fischer

Heidi Huber-Stearns 

Partner Organization:

Purpose

Labor shortages have hindered  ability to protect human communities and forest ecosystems from increasingly severe and frequent wildfires. Approximately one-third of California’s wildland firefighters are incarcerated people. However, few are able to access careers in forest and fire work upon release. Providing additional training and support would benefit both incarcerated individuals find long term work but also have the firefighting and forestry industry play a more active role in fighting racism and providing equitable opportunities.

Approach

Research Objectives: 

Methodological approach 

Through a combination of literature review, qualitative interviews, impact assessment framework development, and educational initiatives, our project will contribute to the existing body of knowledge on community reintegration, underscore the vital role of organizations like FFRP in facilitating successful reintegration processes, and quantify the extent of FFRP’s impact. 

FFRP trainees. Image from May 2023 visit 

Anticipated Outcomes

In collaboration with the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP), the Just Wildfire Workforce team will create a framework to assess the social and ecological impacts of their programs on former fire camp participants and on the larger community of formerly incarcerated individuals. 

The resources completed through this project will help FFRP address the wildfire crisis, help formerly incarcerated individuals find long-term work, fight structural racism, and will allow for the organization to take advantage of funding opportunities provided by federal policy initiatives.

Next Steps