Featured Session: Breaking Barriers by Turning Prisoners into Firefighters

Mar 12, 2025

2:30pm – 3:30pm CT

In January 2025, wildfire devastated L.A. and a little known fact about who is fighting these fires came to light: since the 1940s, California has relied on incarcerated people to fight fires on the frontlines. The program - known as Fire Camp - is criticized by some and lauded by others, but there’s one undeniable challenge…once these firefighters are released, it is nearly impossible to get a job in the fire service—despite their passion, experience, and a severe labor shortage. Hear from a firefighter who got his start in Fire Camp and created a pathway allowing others to follow in his footsteps.

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.

photo of Dr. Joel Bervell, MD

Dr. Joel Bervell, MD

Medical Mythbuster

photo of Royal Ramey

Royal Ramey

Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program

Online Availabilty

This event is currently available on demand.
Video On Demand for this event began on Wednesday, March 12th 2025 at 11:59pm CT.
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Film & TV Badge
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Closed Captioned
Open Captioned