https://www.timesunion.com/7day-albany/article/Albany-County-launches-inmate-12870374.php
Albany County launches inmate firefighter-training program
Published 6:27 pm, Friday, April 27, 2018
COLONIE - Aimed at combating both recidivism and a shortage in volunteers, a new firefighter-training program for low-level Albany County inmates marked its official kick-off Friday afternoon.
The Sheriff’s Inmate Fire Training program, or SHIFT, employs state-certified trainers in a program that covers CPR, first-responder skills, hazmat, exterior fire operations and other skills.
The program is meant to address “a massive decline in volunteerism” among local firehouses, Sheriff Craig Apple said Friday. It’s also targeted at assisting low-level offenders, such as people jailed on DWI or failure to pay child support, to rejoin and aid their communities.
“I’m not sending robbers and burglars and bank robbers out there,” he said. “You know, these guys are in there because they screwed up, or maybe got a DWI.”
Its costs – used fire truck included – are being covered with seized drug assets. It involves no taxpayer money.
Currently, the population of Albany County Correctional Facility stands at 51 percent capacity, holding 510 inmates in a space that accommodates 1,000, Apple noted. He said he regards it as “a second-chance agency -- and we’re giving them a second chance to be productive.”
Five inmates are currently being trained as firefighters. Some may be allowed, after completing training, to serve daytime shifts on work release. Once free, they can either volunteer or apply to serve as paid firefighters, Apple said.
“And you know what? Even if they don’t, they’ll still be able to save a life. . . and we’re gonna release a better person than when they came in,” he said.
