On Aug. 30, a fire was set on the hillside not far from my home in Pismo Beach. We are very grateful to the workers who extinguished the fire quickly. I could tell that there were two troops of firefighters, some wearing orange and some wearing yellow and black. The ones wearing orange are inmates.
I want to be sure my neighbors in the community realize how indebted we are to these brave firefighters, both the ones who are paid and the ones who are inmates.
I also want to encourage California and the states around us to employ these people when they are released from prison. They can work as firefighters and/or in forest management and maintenance. They have gained skills, knowledge, and experience.
Claire Grether
Pismo Beach