For more than a century California has relied on incarcerated firefighters to help combat devastating wildfires. Bay Curious listener Brittany Powers wanted to know how much these firefighters are paid, and why it's so hard for them to find similar employment when they get out of jail. Brittany's question won our September voting round.Additional Reading<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11846622">What's Next For Incarcerated Firefighters in California?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11784042/inmates-saved-homes-in-the-kincade-fire-theyll-face-an-uphill-battle-getting-firefighting-jobs-after-release">Inmates Saved Homes in the Kincade Fire. They'll Face An Uphill Battle Getting Firefighting Jobs After Release</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kqed.org/science/1968728/shortage-of-inmate-firefighters-hampers-response-in-bay-area">Shortage of Inmate Firefighters Hampers Response in Bay Area</a></li>
</ul> Reported by Kevin Stark. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Rob Speight and Chris Hoff. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Jessica Placzek, Kyana Moghadam, Paul Lancour, Suzie Racho, Carly Severn, Bianca Hernandez, Ethan Lindsey, Vinnee Tong and Michelle Wiley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

How a Berkeley Police Chief Gave Rise to the Modern Force

Bay Curious is a show about your questions – and the adventures you find when you go looking for the answers. Join host Olivia Allen-Price to explore all aspects of the San Francisco Bay Area – from the debate over "Frisco", to the dinosaurs that once roamed California, to the causes of homelessness. Whether you lived here your whole life, or just arrived, Bay Curious will deepen your understanding of this place you call home.