Calif. inmates thanked for help with fires

By Liset Marquez
San Bernardino County Sun

NORCO, Calif. — As Matthew Martel drove through the fire-ravaged communities in the San Diego area in October, he noticed an outpouring of thank you signs and gratitude toward firefighters and safety personnel.

But Martel, a warden with the state's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Center in Norco, felt there was a group being overlooked — his crew of more than 60 inmates, who serve on the handcrews that responded to the fires.

On Tuesday morning at the Norco facility, the inmates were given a proper "thank you," on behalf of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Riverside County Sheriff's Department and city of Norco.

"You always want to honor and recognize your hardworking and dedicated employees," Martel said.

The inmates and the fire officers who responded with them received certificates of appreciation.

To put into perspective the efforts of the inmates, Martel said in the past year, the four crews have provided 4,100 firefighting hours.

This was the first time in Martel's five-year tenure that the inmates were honored. In attendance at the ceremony was outgoing Mayor Harvey Sullivan.

"It's a great program. It doubled the crew, and they lent a tremendous amount of support in the October fire," he said.

Sullivan said he wanted to attend to let the inmates know that he was thankful for their efforts, "because of all the hard work and because they risked their lives."

An indication of the risks the firefighters faced was apparent in inmate Bobby Gleason, 29, of Escondido, who needed 15 stitches on his left foot.

Gleason said he was helping cut down brush when he stepped on a chainsaw.

"This is the biggest fire I've fought," he said.

Since 1972, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Center in Norco has collaborated with the CDF to run the Conservation Camp.

Through the collaboration, the crews respond to fires as well as assist with other emergencies, and community service projects.

Last week, two crews responded to flooding in Jurupa, on Monday they assisted in rescuing a construction worker stuck in a trench, said Lt. Michael Brownell, the public information officer for the center.

"These are people that have obviously made bad decisions in life," said David Matis, camp division chief with the CDF. "They have the opportunity to be a part of our program and in exchange they have an opportunity to learn some skills, learn a trade and perhaps have a positive change in their life and apply it once they are released."

For Gleason this was the first time in the three years that he has helped fight fires that he has received any recognition.

Gleason said he'll probably send the certificate back home to his mother in Escondido.

"It kind of feels good and it lets you know you're doing something to help people out," Gleason said as he proudly held his award.