Posted on Jul 30, 2021
Given The Choice Between Prison Life And Fighting Wildfires, These Women Chose Fire
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https://www.npr.org/2021/07/30/ [login to see] /given-the-choice-between-prison-life-and-fighting-wildfires-these-women-chose-fi
As climate change makes fire seasons hotter and longer in the U.S., about 20,000 firefighters are currently working to contain blazes across the country. For decades now, some of California's incarcerated population have been among those doing this lifesaving work, at great risk to their own lives.
One of those people was Shawna Lynn Jones. In 2016, she was working in one of the state's fire camps and fighting the Mulholland Fire in Malibu when a boulder the size of a basketball struck her in the head. She died a day later, becoming the first incarcerated woman in the state to lose her life after battling a wildfire.
As climate change makes fire seasons hotter and longer in the U.S., about 20,000 firefighters are currently working to contain blazes across the country. For decades now, some of California's incarcerated population have been among those doing this lifesaving work, at great risk to their own lives.
One of those people was Shawna Lynn Jones. In 2016, she was working in one of the state's fire camps and fighting the Mulholland Fire in Malibu when a boulder the size of a basketball struck her in the head. She died a day later, becoming the first incarcerated woman in the state to lose her life after battling a wildfire.
Given The Choice Between Prison Life And Fighting Wildfires, These Women Chose Fire
Posted from npr.org
Climate Change
Firefighting
State of California
Punishment
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel I could see why someone would want to do this vs. being in prison. Sad to hear of something like this happening but it is a risk that all take when firefighting.
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Late response...it is noble for the ladies to fight fires, but policy should change for them. Despite their choice to help others during their incarceration, they often cannot get post-prison EMT or firefighting jobs despite their experience.
https://www.kold.com/2021/01/13/female-inmate-firefighters-build-character-often-cant-use-fire-skills-after-release/
https://www.kold.com/2021/01/13/female-inmate-firefighters-build-character-often-cant-use-fire-skills-after-release/
Female inmate firefighters build character but often can’t use fire skills after release
Arizona legislators are looking to help prison firefighters earn earlier releases.
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