My husband is currently in Jamestown; he is hearing all kinds of information about fire camps and wants to make sure he makes the right choices.

He was told to if possible try and be placed with California Department of Forestry and stay away from Los Angeles Department of Forestry, does anybody have information on what camps belong to what department and what is the difference.

What is the best choice when going to fire camp, Special Skills or Firefighter?

Hi Chapis

Here's a list of the fire caps and who they are operated by. CDC, CYA.

http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=920019&postcount=10

And here you can find the full listing to include LACDF

http://www.campschapterccpoa.org/location.htm


Hope that helps, I'm not sure if the CDC contracts with LA county, But under the first link is another link to the CDF and describes the entire program.

Good Luck

Richard

My husband is currently in Jamestown; he is hearing all kinds of information about fire camps and wants to make sure he makes the right choices.

He was told to if possible try and be placed with California Department of Forestry and stay away from Los Angeles Department of Forestry, does anybody have information on what camps belong to what department and what is the difference.

What is the best choice when going to fire camp, Special Skills or Firefighter?

I think that they are all run by the California Department of Forestry, along with CDC of course. There are some in Los Angeles County but I do not think that they are run by the county. They are pretty much State facilities. As far as choices go, they are mostly not his choices. He can "request" to go to a specific camp but ultimatly the choice is not his.
Most camps are self sufficent, things like a mechanics, plumbers, office personel, cooks, landscapers are some positions in camps. The Firefighters out number in-camp workers by many so those jobs are some times hard to come by. If he has a special skill he needs to make them aware at his initial screening or his annual so that process can be started ASAP. Some people like Firefighting, the pay is better than most in-camp jobs, you travel (so to speak) and you stay physically fit ( some times you work like a dog) . Others love the in-camp positions and would not trade them for the world (except a job at home of course). It really depends on him. Good luck :thumbsup:

Mrs. L. said a lot. :) My husband had special skills from another institution. It didn't matter. He is older than a lot going to fire camp. (almost 45) Fortunately, he did get an in-camp job. The pay isn't much. However, he loved it. I know someone at Mt. Gleason, Palmdale. It is LA county fire, ran by the CDF, manned mainly by the CDC. He has nothing negative to say about it. Actually all positive. Nice place, beautiful view, great food. I haven't heard much negativity from most that have gone to camp. Doesn't matter where. As far as what camp he goes to, well, anything can be bought for the right amount of money. But, there is never 100% gurantees. HOpe this helps.

I just spoke with my husband who told me that he thinks there are 3 (one female two male) camps that are run by other fire departments (maybe LACFD) along with CDC. He said that he had no idea if the camps were run differently. If he shared with you what he heard about the differences in the camps that might not be run by CDF, please share.

I know of three camps that are run by LACFD well my husband has been to one of them if your men do not like to work out I mean hike everyday from 8 am to 2 pm all they do is hike. And when you get to these camp they have to test you before they put you in a crew just how well you can hike and how well you can keep up. The pay is the same but they are not out on a fire as long as the guys who work with CDF do they are out there longer and making more money for sure. The guys who work for LACFD are the first guys to get to a fire they are the first one to take control of the fire once the guys from CDF come on they take control so the guys with LACFD go back to camp and work less hours. But when my husband was with LACFD he was out on a fire for over a day, which was a lot, but the guys from CDF are at fires sometime up to two weeks. But anyway here are the three camps that I know for use are with LACFD



Acton

8800 Soledad Canyon Road Acton, CA 93510



Francisquito

3510 North San Francisquito Canyon Saugus, CA 91350 this is the one my husband was at. They work your butt off in the fires and in camp you have to hike everyday. To make sure you are ready to be able to hike in a fire.



Mount Gleason

26650 North Angeles Forest Hwy. Palmdale, CA 93550



These are the three camps that I know are run by LACFD. I hope this info has helped. Some who know me know that my husband has been around some camps like mmm 4 fire camps…

Who qualifies for fire camp? or What is the process to apply for Fire Camp?
Is this an option for those that have been incarcerated for at least one year or is this something that any inmate can apply for at any time? Does an inmate need to have a minimum or maximum sentence to be considered for Fire Camp?

The inmate talks to their counslor. Something has to do with their release date. They go when they have like under 2 years. OH, they have to have non-violent crimes.

My husband has an assault with a deadly weapon. Hes not eligible for a fire camp? No way at all? I was praying for camp cause then 10 months would be knocked off his 3 year sentence. His dad got 7 years and only did 2 years in camp. so the thing on only qualified if sentence is under 2 years is not correct. Someone please help. Desperate to bring my husband home asap.

This may sound like a dumb question, but what is considered a non-violent crime? can someone give examples? I would like to know if guy qualifies.

happy2bashirey: I meant 2 years to the gate. Not the sentence of under 2 years. my husband is on a 7 year term. I guess I was wrong and you are right, I didn't know they could stay at camp over 2 years. That is what I was under the impression. Sorry.

cg's_angel: Non-violent? Drugs. I am sure there are plenty others. Usually when no weapons or no one was hurt, is what I would believe is non-violent. Theft, stolen property. Foresure, it is Drugs.