March 09--In just five weeks, a group of inmates were transformed into an operational fire crew in time for a fire season that has the potential to be one of the most dangerous seasons in recent years.
On Thursday, the second San Bernardino County Inmate Fire Crew, also named Glen Helen 2, graduated at the Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center in San Bernardino.
The 13-member inmate fire crew began its training in January, learning fire suppression techniques, first-aid, CPR, chainsaw operations, small engine and facility repair and the basic Incident Command System, according to a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and County Fire joint news release.
"Educating offenders while incarcerated is a step closer to reducing recidivism," Sheriff John McMahon said in a written statement. "Our goal is to turn their lives around and send them back into mainstream society rehabilitated, educated and ready for employment."
The fire crew will respond to fire suppression incidents as well as other types of emergency operations such as sandbagging, according to the release.
The first crew that graduated from the rehabilitation program in July has assisted on wildland and urban fires and responded to a recent commercial fire at a recycling plant in Fontana, relieving firefighters and medic engines to return back to service.
Inmates in the program must be low-level offenders, have 15 to 18 months left on their sentence, no documented gang affiliation, and must not be a flight risk.
"With fire season being year-round and the amount of fuels-reduction projects, the need for more fire crews in our county is more prevalent than ever," San Bernardino County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig said. "Fire crews have proven to be an invaluable resource in more ways than one."
Copyright 2014 - Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.
