“volunteer” prisoners, private agents, … who are the firefighters who try to put out the fires?

As devastating fires ravage Los Angeles and mobilize thousands of firefighters, a question emerges: who are these men and women fighting the flames?

Behind the uniforms of the “LAFD” (Los Angeles Fire Department, the city’s firefighters in short), we find a diversity that is, to say the least, unexpected: from “volunteer” inmates to private firefighters recruited by the richest. We’ll explain it to you.

“Volunteer” prisoners, low-cost essential workers

Nearly 800 inmates are currently participating in firefighting through the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) conservation camp program. These incarcerated men and women, who volunteer for this program, work alongside crews from Cal Fire, the California Department of Fire Protection.

These inmates, often considered an indispensable force in times of crisis, are paid between $5.80 and $10.24 per day, with a bonus of $1 per hour in case of emergency. If this program is seen by some as an opportunity, it also attracts criticism and some describe it as “modern forced labor”: the low wages and the risks involved being the main reasons. In return, they can reduce their sentence and acquire skills which, under certain conditions, can allow them to become firefighters after their release. Yet for many detainees, these camps offer a preferable alternative to regular prison conditions.

Private firefighters: a “solution” for the richest

In wealthy neighborhoods of Los Angeles, like Malibu or Pacific Palisades, another reality is emerging: that of private firefighters. These teams, hired by wealthy property owners, deploy trucks, retardant chemicals and even water supplies to protect invaluable properties, often comparable to museums because of their art collections.

These practices, the effectiveness of which remains to be proven, still raise a moral debate. For advocates of these services, it is a pragmatic issue: protecting important investments, whether residences or art collections. Others point out that these private firefighters indirectly alleviate the pressure on public resources and allow for better distribution of efforts. As thousands of “ordinary” residents struggle to save their homes, the ability of the wealthiest to “buy” protection sparks outrage. And some, like businessman Keith Wasserman, do not hesitate to offer astronomical sums to hire these private teams. Public outcry. This wealthy real estate investor who boasted a few months ago of not paying taxes has since deactivated his X account (formerly Twitter).

The military: a large-scale mobilization

Faced with the scale of the disaster, the army is also mobilized. According to the Pentagon, more than 600 members of the California National Guard are deployed to help fight the fires. These units include 14 specialized fuel abatement teams, 200 military police for security operations, and 10 helicopters for firefighting and search and rescue missions. Marines are also on standby for clearing operations and distribution of supplies, and eight C-130 aircraft equipped with aerial firefighting systems have also been deployed.

Introduce me to your firefighter, I’ll tell you who you are

Between public teams, hired inmates and private agents, the fight against fires in Los Angeles reflects the inequalities and paradoxes of Californian society.

Consult all our articles on Los Angeles

However, behind every uniform – regardless of its origin – there is a life put in danger to protect the lives of others.