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Media Relations Office:
"Firewalkers" Prepare for Fire Season
Federal and state firefighters will be getting help this upcoming fire season from a group that calls themselves “The Firewalkers.” The “Firewalkers” are Arizona's first and only all-female inmate wild land firefighting crew. When Governor Janet Napolitano increased funding for the Arizona Department of Corrections wild land fire program, ADC Director Dora Schriro suggested female inmates have the opportunity to participate, and created the female crew. The 16 crewmembers receive 50 cents an hour for their labor but working on the fire crew is a valued job for inmates. "Men and women alike, inmates at every complex, compete for this important assignment. All of them work hard, and they work well together. They're working for Arizona and their service to the community is value-added," said Schriro. The most recent statistics show that during an eight-month span last year, six wild land fire crews saved Arizona communities $3.8 million. The State Land Department certified the female firefighters in February of 2005 following approximately 80 hours of basic firefighter and power saw training. As part of their on-going training, the crew took part in a three-day brush-clearing project in Prescott beginning May 25. "The department's fire fighting crews are phenomenal. Staff has stepped up to the plate again. They've met the high standards set by State Land, completed their training, and maintain exceptional fitness working under rigorous conditions,” Schriro said. “They've pulled together individual inmates and transformed them into effective fire fighting teams. I am very proud of the leadership our officers demonstrate every day.” Under Director Dora Schriro, ADC has doubled the number of inmate crews from six to twelve and are expanding to 15 crews in 2006. |
