South coast firefighters getting help from unlikely source
NORTH BEND, Ore. -- When you call 911, most people expect police, firefighters or paramedics to show up.
But what about inmates?
Inmates from the Shutter Creek Correctional Facility in North Bend are now on-call to assist some south coast fire departments in large fires.
Shutter Creek supervisor Tim Causey says the inmates will show up to help with ladders and hoses when needed, but they aren't actually going to be fighting any fires. "In the last couple of months, we've been called out a couple of times, or at least put on notice that they might need some assistance," he said. "They're out there giving assistance and helping with the clean up and the aftermath of rolling up of hoses and getting thing put together. So, it's more labor than it is fire fighting."
Two-thirds of Shutter Creeks inmates qualify to go out and help firefighters.
Fire departments in Hauser, North Bay and Lakeside are the ones who use the inmates the most, according to authorities.
ya definitly wldnt want an inmate who was in there for arson to help put out a fire!!!! Atleast i wldnt think it wld be a good thing=) but i think if ya got a criminal with different reasone it might boost there self bein and make them feel comfortable enough to believe in thereselve once again and change=) Also i think there shld be plenty of guards around every corner waiting for that one person who will never change given the chance to prove they can live back in society once again!!!!
Its wonderful. They deserve a break. Let them know what it means to feel like a "Hero". It could change their way of thinking.
Cal Fire uses DOC hand crews all the time for wildland fires and have done so for years. I don't recall them ever having a problem with it.
Im sorry to say but the only inmates not allowed out are the ones convicted of a sex crime. I had an assault. Charge and we are allowed. To be out in the public
As long as they are supervised and they have not been violent. If you are convicted of a violent crime, no. Sorry if you don't like that we don't trust you, but you should have thought about that before you did whatever you did.
I understand people having mixed feelings about inmates helping people that are free. As a former inmate i can tell you the trust i was given helped me strive to get off paper and move on with my life. There are inmates in the background of a few business's. They want to be trusted again. I think its a great way for them to gain the trust of the public back.
I have mixed feelings. I think this is a great idea for certain situations. I am not sure I like the idea of them being at people's homes.
Teach them a trade too.
I think it's a wonderful idea! 1.) Not all inmates committed violent crimes 2.) It's a way to help pay their keep 3.) It might help build character and morals in some of the inmates
I think it's ok, just make sure there are security guard.