Former Cal Fire Firefighter Anthony Pedro has launched a program to help inmate firefighters pursue careers in the fire service once they’re out of jail.
For decades California law blocked firefighters who served on the state’s prison firefighting teams from applying for regular work as firefighters. Pedro was an inmate firefighter himself, and in 2020 when California changed its laws allowing for non-violent criminals to apply to become firefighters, Pedro jumped at the chance.
He had earned an associates degree and obtained certifications while an inmate. Still, he told CBS Sacramento, managing the hurdles to apply for a job was difficult.
Pedro started the program, Future Fire Academy, to help inmate firefighters obtain the certifications they need to apply to become regular firefighters, as well as assisting with the applications process.
