Just like any career firefighter, when inmates at Two Rivers Correctional Institution get the call that their assistance is needed to battle a fire in Oregon, they suit up, grab their gear and are ready to go in a moments notice.

In the last few months, a crew of 10 inmates and two correctional officers at TRCI have trained and become certified wildland firefighters and are now working with the Oregon Department of Forestry to fight fires across the state. As of Tuesday, the crew had responded to three fires, two of which have combined to make up one large fire: the Donnybrook fire, which burned more than 22,000 acres and wrapped up last week. The other fire they responded to was a small mop-up fire about 17 miles northwest of Ukiah on July 15.

ALL IN A DAYS WORK

The TRCI inmates returned Monday after nine days of helping to battle the Donnybrook fire. Correctional officers alerted inmates at about 11 p.m. on July 17 to be prepared to leave early the next morning for Antelope, Ore., where the Donnybrook fire was burning 10 miles southeast of the city. For the duration of their time in the mountains, the inmate crew members woke up at 5 a.m. to traverse hills, check for hot spots and cut down burning trees in sweltering heat while suited up in full gear before returning back to camp at about 8 p.m.

Inmate Aaron Keele said it was a lot of hard work, especially in the extreme temperatures they faced in full gear.

It was a sweat box, Keele said with a laugh about their uniforms. It was so hot.

In addition to the extreme temperatures, Keele said inmates had to carry everything they needed for the day on their backs. He said that amounted to about 15 pounds of water and a variety of other equipment and food needed for the day. The inmates hiked hills day in and day out, sometimes traveling more than 10 miles in a day, which is something that Keele said made them proud.

He said many of the inmates had blisters all over their feet because they simply werent used to the conditions, but they worked it out.

It was a lot of hard work, but it was so worth it, he said. Its been quite the experience physically, mentally and emotionally. Ive learned a lot. It has been a huge learning experience.

Fellow crew member and inmate Joshua Roshone said the positives of the experience far outweighed the negatives. He said because of their trip, the teammates learned skills and bonded in a way he would never have imagined. He said he has also enjoyed putting the skills he learned securing and protecting other people and their property to use.

It has been a blessing to see what we have been able to do, even though we are still in prison, he said. It feels good to give back and do something with my time here. Ive actually had a lot of fun so far, and Ive gotten to build some good friendships.

Roshone and Keele both said that it also didnt hurt they were fed really well while they were out fighting fires.

Im talking steak and eggs for breakfast, Roshone said. I was eating better than I have in a long time.

TEAM WORK

Keele said the experience has also helped the inmates improve their communication skills and learn how to work together as a team. He said they depended on older inmate crew members, such as Troy Walker, who has previous experience as a firefighter, for direction at times.

(Walker) is like our leader, Keele said. What (Walker) says, goes. Knowledge is power, and he has a lot of it.

Walker said he worked as a firefighter for eight years in the 1980s and 90s. He said he was worried about being able to keep up with the younger men, but it worked out pretty well.

Walker said it took their crew awhile before they really worked together because there were 10 different personalities all trying to contribute, but at the end of the nine days, they were working as one team.

We came back after nine days as one, Keele said. We were a unit.

LASTING BENEFITS

TRCI isnt the first prison to start an inmate-based fire program. TRCI Counselor Shawn Gibbs said most of the other correctional facilities in Oregon have had programs in place for several years, and she was excited to start one at TRCI.

Gibbs said the contractors they work with to fight fires are also open to hiring the inmates after their release because they find that inmates provide the labor and work ethic needed for those situations.

Keele said, every night, the inmates would meet as a group and discuss the days work and what was ahead. Many times, he said, team leaders from ODF told them they had covered double the amount of ground as the regular contractors.

One day they told the contractors, Whatever you did today, you need to take notes, Keele said smiling. We bucked 11 miles that day.

Keele said each of the inmates know they need to work hard and prove their skills to their leaders when fighting fires as it could potentially lead to a job after they are released.

Most people look at you, and all they see is a felon, he said. They wont give you a chance. Thats why Im busting my butt out there. I want to show them that I can work, so there is a chance he might hire me after I get out.

Gibbs said after the TRCI crew returned from the recent trips, the report back to the prison about the inmates performance was nothing but positive.

Everything that we got back from the camp commander was good, she said. We didnt hear anything negative.

FUTURE AFTER PRISON

Roshone said because of his experience as a firefighter, he hopes to continue a career in the field when released from prison.

I can see myself doing this after I get released, he said. This is something I can use for the rest of my life. It has made me feel a lot of self worth for the things Ive been able to do.

Roshone admits during the first few days he wasnt so passionate about the job at hand, but his opinion changed when he realized the impact he was making and the things he was accomplishing.

After that first day, I said, I am done with this, he said. But as the days go on, you really start to see what you are able to do. It teaches you about yourself, how far you can push yourself. Before I started fighting fires, I thought I was pushing myself, but now I see that is nothing … compared to when Im out there fighting fires.

Keele said because of his firefighter experience, and from the things he has learned in other TRCI programs, he has grown as a person.

This is my third time in prison, he said. Honestly, during the first two times, I was doing nothing with my life and had no plans to do better. I was playing the politics. I was hanging out with the same gang. I was young and immature. But this time, I am now 32 with kids. I have to think about what I am going to do with my life. How do I explain that to my kids? It is about time that I grow up This time, I am trying to take all of those opportunities to turn my time into something that I can use.

Both Keele and Roshone said they were grateful to Gibbs, TRCI Capt. Tony Kornegay, Sgt. Steve Bruce and Officer Brian Holden because they helped make the program successful.

They get a standing ovation, in my book, Roshone said. Without them, I dont think we would be where we are at. It is a big team effort. All the vehicles were donated It is kind of like a Cinderella story. I cant wait to see what next year does.

Gibbs said TRCI plans to have two 10-man crews next year for fire suppression.