TED Talks Daily From prison to purpose through wildland firefighting | Royal Ramey
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Nov 13, 2024 Royal Ramey, Co-founder and CEO of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, shares his compelling journey from incarceration to wildland firefighting. He discusses how his experiences fighting wildfires in California inspired him to support formerly incarcerated individuals in finding purpose through this vital work. The conversation delves into the transformative power of firefighting, the need for holistic employment strategies, and the ethical considerations of using prison labor while advocating for community reintegration and personal redemption.
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Finding Purpose in Fire Camp
- Royal Ramey felt lost during his prison sentence until he joined fire camp.
- Despite initial hesitation, the challenging work and camaraderie shifted his mindset, giving him a sense of purpose.
Barriers to Reentry
- Despite wanting to continue firefighting after release, Ramey realized that a criminal record creates barriers to public service.
- This led him to co-found the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program.
FFRP Program Overview
- The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program helps formerly incarcerated individuals find firefighting jobs.
- The program includes recruitment, intake, training, job placement, graduation, and retention services.
