For information contact: Lee Williams, Wyoming State Forestry Division, Honor Farm Site Manager, (307) 856-9578 or Cindy Ferguson, Field Public Information Officer, Wyoming Honor Farm, (307) 856-9578
The fourteen inmate fire fighters from the Wyoming Honor Farm (WHF) earned kudos at the second annual WYO-FIRE training that took place this year at Camp Guernsey in Guernsey, Wyoming, from May 28 to June 1. The team did well in all events, garnering Special Mention in the way they conducted themselves around the fire camp. Their sleeping and hygiene areas were kept in exceptional shape and this drew praise from the Logistics Section Chief. The Wranglers also assisted and performed well in every aspect of the training, adding to the excellent reputation past Wranglers have left in the capable hands of future Fire Wranglers.
Over 300 hundred firefighters participated in WYO-FIRE 2009. Firefighters represented 17 of the 23 Wyoming counties, the Wyoming Department of Corrections, several neighboring states, the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service.
Summing up the WYO-FIRE experience, Forestry Program Site Manager Lee Williams, said, “Speaking for myself and all the Fire Wranglers, we relished the opportunity to go out, train with other fire fighting units, and learn new valuable skills to keep our crew and fellow firefighters safe.”
Firefighting programs take place at both the Wyoming Honor Farm in Riverton and at the Wyoming Conservation Camp in Newcastle. Approximately 95% of all inmates leave prison at some time, so it is important that the Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC) provides ways for inmates to learn skills that will help them successfully stay out of prison once they leave. Jobs assist them in learning a work ethic, how to “show up” and perform, how to get along with other people, and how to be successful in the workforce.
The firefighting program is one that requires inmates to apply and interview; to achieve stated goals; and to continue to participate at a high level. If an inmate is selected, he must complete a detailed orientation and then begin training in fire fighting and safe chainsaw operation. Each course consists of 32 hours of class room instruction plus practical application. The final portion of each class is held in the field and must be passed. The firefighting course culminates in a pack test which requires inmates to walk three miles with a 45 pound pack in 45 minutes or less. Inmates are supervised at all times by staff members who have successfully completed a 5-week correctional security course conducted by the WDOC.
In addition to firefighting, those inmates participating in the Forestry Program at either the WHF or the WHCC inmates work on state forested lands. They work on tree stand improvement, fuels mitigation and they establish defensible space (a buffer area between forest fuels and man made structures).
Inmates also work on community service projects. At the WHF, inmates have completed a variety of projects from pouring concrete pathways to building and remodeling at the Fremont County Homeless Shelter. They can work for any governmental agency, and have projects with the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, State Parks, and most cities and counties in Wyoming who have called with requests for our services. They have saved these entities a substantial amount of money by completing this work.
In addition to Site Manager Lee Williams, Craig Shaw, Anthony Morgan, and James Witt are crew supervisors. All these individuals supervise inmates and are employees of the Office of State Lands and Investments, State Forestry Division, working at the Wyoming Honor Farm. Supervisors have varied background that include years of experience in wildland firefighting, corrections, law enforcement, the military, carpentry, range management and education. Crew supervisors are mentors, instructors and guidance counselors, taking care to ensure each crew member leaves and returns safely.
Photo attached: Supervisors with inmate firefighters are in blue hard hats, left to right: Anthony Morgan, Craig Shaw, and Lee Williams. James Witt is not pictured as he is deployed to Iraq with the Wyoming Guard