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County's $1.5M Inmate Fire Crew Program currently unfunded

Daily Press - 5/27/2017

May 26--SAN BERNARDINO -- Two county supervisors urged officials this week to not let the Inmate Fire Crew Program go unfunded, calling upon them to identify the $1.5 million needed to run operations for this coming fiscal year and avert the risk of discontinuation.

The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District's recommended spending plan for fiscal year 2017-18 doesn't carve out money at the moment to bankroll the four-year old program.

County staff will present the board with funding options to consider in the near future, county spokesman David Wert said, and the board will decide how to allocate resources for the coming fiscal year.

The options will be presented as early as July, according to a county staff report, which noted: "Should the Inmate Fire Crew Program not receive funding at that time, SBCFPD will discontinue the Program ..."

Since its inception in June 2013, the program has afforded low-level and low-risk inmates, who might otherwise have been eligible for the state's inmate fire crew program, the opportunity to respond to fires and to perform community beautification projects.

Supervisors Chairman Robert Lovingood on Tuesday described addressing the present budget concern as having "a great level of importance," insisting that crews had been invaluable to the county and worked a combined 85,000 man-hours over the scope of two contracts.

"These crews spent nine days on the horrific Blue Cut Fire and I can share with you, not only were they there protecting property, residents," he said, "they also worked with the paramedic teams, allowed them to break and to (refresh) and to come back."

"I believe if you look at our districts (the 1st, 2nd and 3rd)," he continued, "we have the greatest exposure to these fires, and what (inmate crews) bring in value can't be (overstated)."

In addition to acting as a cost-saving mechanism for the county and boosting community clean-up projects -- Lovingood said crews have collected 300 tons of garbage -- the program also works as a supplement for fire engines.

Sixteen inmates can replace five engine companies on any fires that are contained, according to County Fire Deputy Chief John Chamberlain, then allowing County Fire crews to return to the streets and respond to some 130,000 yearly calls they receive.

"This is an extremely valuable program," Chamberlain said. "I was an incident commander on Blue Cut and I can tell you without question, this definitely saved lives and property across the county."

He added that inmate crews had responded to 783 requests for service as of calendar year 2016, not including outside calls where County Fire provided aid to adjoining jurisdictions.

The joint partnership between County Fire and the Sheriff's Department maintains 23 positions, two of which were recently approved, and that includes both men and women, Sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said.

Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales described herself as a long-time supporter of the program and rallied officials to "let's see what we can do to mitigate the gap here."

"It has been a pleasure to go out there and see these young men feel a source of pride as they get into their gear and feel useful," Gonzales said. "We need that. We need our men to feel they have a purpose, that they have an ability to contribute."

Lovingood suggested, too, that recidivism rates were likely lower than average among program participants.

"I believe many of these folks are, you know, what I refer to at my age as kids who have made stupid mistakes," he said. "They're not hardened people, they're not at risk. And they want to be out, they want to see this as their contribution back for their mistakes. They're looking for an opportunity at some point to change their paths, I believe."

The board Tuesday approved an amended deal that will see the Sheriff's Department reimburse County Fire up to $100,000 for equipment and tool expenses connected to the program. Of course, if the program stays unfunded, this agreement will be terminated.

Shea Johnson can be reached at 760-955-5368 or SJohnson@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DP_Shea.

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