Existing law establishes the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the California Conservation Camp program, under which incarcerated individuals perform fire prevention, fire control, and other work and receive firefighting-related training.
AB 2483 requires CAL FIRE, beginning July 1, 2027, to implement a standardized process, with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Conservation Camp program, to provide eligible incarcerated individuals with official written certification documenting qualifying firefighting training before their release. Beginning January 1, 2028, qualified formerly incarcerated individuals who have completed the required training and meet the minimum qualifications for a Fire Fighter 1 classification position with CAL FIRE, or its successor, receive hiring preference under Category Placement 2. For CAL FIRE Forestry Technician classifications, specified training and fieldwork performed as an incarcerated hand-crew member must be counted toward minimum qualifications.
AB 2483 adds Chapter 2, beginning with Section 4960, to Part 4 of Division 4 of the Public Resources Code.
