OR Inmates Learning the Basics of Wildland Firefighting
The South Fork Forest Camp is underway, but the campers will not be gathering to sing songs.
That's because the participants are Oregon inmates.
After learning the keys to wildland firefighting, they will be certified and ready to assist the state's forestry crews, KGW reported.
“We have a pretty strong initial attack from Oregon Department of Forestry districts, and then these crews come in and are able to do the mop up...They’re able to pick up hose line and make those engines available for initial attack on the next start,” explained Derek Gasperini, a forestry public affairs officer.
The South Fork Forest Camp is the oldest and largest work camp in the Pacific Northwest. Since 1951, inmates have been trained to help firefighters.
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Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.