(HKR-01-15-25) On a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, Davey D spoke with Ladale Hayes, founder and CEO of Operation Flame, a nonprofit organization that provides wildfire fighting training to young adults in disadvantaged communities. Hayes, who himself fought fires while incarcerated, shared insightful perspectives on the challenges of incarcerated firefighters and the vital work his organization is doing to empower youth through firefighting skills.
Ladale Hayes’ Journey from Incarceration to Firefighting
Ladale Hayes’ path to becoming a firefighter began in an unexpected place: prison. Before his incarceration, Hayes had little knowledge of wildfires or firefighting. “I didn’t know nothing about wildfires before incarceration. But once I went through the training, it changed my life,” he explained. Hayes was introduced to fire camp, a program where incarcerated individuals are trained to fight wildfires. Despite his initial lack of experience, he excelled in the training and was sent out to fight actual fires.
Hayes credits this experience for opening his eyes to a new world and giving him a sense of purpose. “You learn how to save life, property, and the environment. It was life-changing,” he said. However, the challenges of fighting fires were not over when he left the fire camp. The obstacles Hayes encountered in the workforce after his release were just beginning.
Barriers to Employment for Incarcerated Firefighters
Upon release, Hayes faced significant challenges when trying to transition into a career in firefighting. Many incarcerated firefighters struggle to find employment in municipal fire departments due to their criminal records, despite the rigorous training they undergo. Hayes recalled, “It was challenging to find work. Some agencies wouldn’t even consider us because of our felony background.”
This issue is compounded by the difficulty in securing a job with departments that require additional certifications, such as EMT or paramedic training. “You’re looking at counties, city departments, those that do more structural firefighting… those departments meet resistance when hiring people like us,” he explained.
Moreover, Hayes emphasized the feeling of exploitation that many incarcerated firefighters experience. “We were working long shifts, sometimes 48 hours straight, without the same benefits or breaks as others. You do feel exploited,” he said, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of the work, which often goes unrecognized.
Operation Flame: Empowering Youth with Firefighting Skills
Determined to help others avoid the struggles he faced, Hayes founded Operation Flame, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching young people in disadvantaged communities how to fight wildfires. Through the organization, Hayes provides youth with firefighting skills and certificates that can lead to job opportunities. “We’re giving young adults from South Central Los Angeles the chance to learn a trade and fight wildfires. It’s a skill that can change their lives,” Hayes said.
In just one year, Hayes’ organization trained over 140 young people—far surpassing their initial goal of two cohorts. Hayes has already seen success, with several trainees receiving job offers from major firefighting agencies. “We’ve had young people get hired by the Forest Service and Cal Fire. It’s been a blessing to see them succeed,” Hayes shared.
The Need for Support and Expansion
As the organization grows, Hayes is working to establish a permanent training facility to expand their reach and impact. “We need a facility to operate full-time. Donations will help us get there and make this a sustainable resource for the community,” he urged. Hayes is also seeking funding for a down payment on the building, which would allow Operation Flame to conduct more classes and provide more opportunities for young adults.
For those interested in supporting Operation Flame, Hayes encouraged donations via their website at operationflame.org. Additionally, Hayes invites anyone in the Los Angeles area interested in learning firefighting skills to follow the organization’s Instagram page at @operation_underscore_flame for updates on upcoming classes.
Teaching Firefighting Skills to Prepare for the Future
In addition to providing job opportunities, Hayes emphasized the importance of making firefighting skills more accessible to everyone. He explained that climate change has made wildfires more frequent and intense, underscoring the need for more people to be prepared to respond. “Everyone should have these skills, not just firefighters. It can help save lives and property in our communities,” Hayes stated.
“Climate change has made things more difficult,” he added. “We’ve had no rain in eight months, which leads to high fuel moisture and dry conditions. When a fire starts, you don’t know how bad it could get.” Hayes believes that by teaching more people how to fight wildfires, communities can be better prepared to protect themselves and their neighborhoods.
Ladale Hayes’ conversation on Hard Knock Radio sheds light on the complexities surrounding incarcerated firefighters and their transition into civilian life. Through Operation Flame, Hayes is offering a solution—providing valuable skills to young people that can change their lives while addressing the increasing threat of wildfires in our communities.
Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm, Monday-Friday 4-5 pm). Hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson, the show provides insightful discussions on music, culture, and social issues. KPFA is a community radio station without corporate underwriting.
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