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News Release from: Oregon Dept. of Corrections
INMATE FIRE CREWS JOIN SHELTON FIRE FIGHT
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 1:51 PM
News Release from the Oregon Department of Corrections and Oregon Department of Forestry
August 3, 2007
Contact:
Perrin Damon, Corrections: (503) 945-0925
Rod Nichols, Forestry: (503) 945-7425
Inmate Fire Crews Join Shelton Fire Fight
In the hours before dawn today, the Oregon Department of Corrections began to dispatch 180 minimum-security inmates and 24 staff supervisors to help fight the Shelton Fire, ten miles southeast of Fossil, Corrections Director Max Williams said today.
"Inmate firefighters are a helpful resource to the state of Oregon," said Williams. "The cooperative firefighting program of the departments of Corrections and Forestry is an ongoing success story that benefits all Oregonians. It's also a way for inmates to help their fellow citizens during times of need."
The Department of Corrections deployed inmates and staff from minimum-custody correctional facilities in Lakeview, Ontario, Tillamook and North Bend.
The Oregon Department of Forestry reported the fire started yesterday around 3:30 p.m. and encompassed 2,200 acres by Friday morning.
The state often uses inmate fire crews to supplement firefighters who work for the government and private companies. "The inmate fire crews approach the difficult and dangerous job of fighting wildfires with enthusiasm and grit," said Oregon State Forester Marvin Brown. "It is gratifying that many of the inmate firefighters, when they are released from prison, end up finding jobs on Oregon's private contract fire crews."
The Department of Corrections has more than 200 minimum-security inmates ready this summer to assist in the state's firefighting efforts. Most receive training by the Oregon Department of Forestry as firefighters, participating in more than 40 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on training in fire behavior, emergency fire shelter deployment, and fire suppression.
Of the 180 inmates deployed to the Shelton Fire, 150 are fire-trained. Many are in their second season of firefighting. All staff and inmates are assigned 16-hour shifts with eight hours of rest.
The remaining 30 inmates provide fire camp support. They prepare breakfast and dinner, and help the Oregon Department of Forestry with camp duties including setting up shelters, maintenance, and garbage pick-up.
In addition to working fire crews, inmate kitchen crews at Powder River Correctional Facility in Baker City are preparing more than 600 sack lunches each day, realizing "tremendous savings" for the state, according to Inmate Work Programs Manager Greg Atkin.
"Corrections is all about keeping Oregon safe today and in the future," added Director Williams. "Inmate firefighters are all nearing their release dates. They appreciate the opportunity to contribute their labor and skills as they learn to be responsible, law-abiding citizens."
Thirty-five inmates have been working the Battlecreek Fire near Joseph since July 16, bringing the total number of inmates deployed statewide to 215.
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