Royal Ramey, co-founder and CEO of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, says he turned a “negative into a positive,” leading to a career he loves.

But that kind of thing kind of, you know, thrilled me,” says Royal Ramey, the co-founder and CEO of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, a nonprofit based in California that helps formerly ...

Royal Ramey, co-founder and CEO of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program. (Ed Kashi / Talking Eyes Media) Topline: California has long relied on its prison population to help fight wildfires.

Royal Ramey (left) and Brandon Smith are co-founders of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, which provides training and job connections for people who worked in California prison fire camps.

But that kind of thing kind of, you know, thrilled me,” says Royal Ramey, the co-founder and CEO of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, a nonprofit based in California that helps formerly ...

California has long relied on its prison population to help fight wildfires. It is one of at least 14 states that operates fire camps for incarcerated people to train to fight fires. It's an ...

The wildland fire chainsaw course is just one objective. By the end of the 10-week program, students will walk away with a dozen nationally recognized certificates.

Chief Royal Ramey, co-founder and CEO of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, says he turned a "negative into a positive," leading to a career he loves. Ramey worked as a firefighter while ...

Royal Ramey, co-founder and CEO of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program. California has long relied on its prison population to help fight wildfires.

A nonprofit in California is aiming to remove roadblocks for previously incarcerated firefighters and expand the profession in the process.

California has long relied on its prison population to help fight wildfires. It is one of at least 14 states that operates fire camps for incarcerated people to train to fight fires. “I didn't ...

Royal Ramey, co-founder and CEO of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program. California has long relied on its prison population to help fight wildfires.