CDCR

Conservation (Fire) Camps

Facts and figures

Total Staff (CDCR) 2009: 10
Total Staffing (CAL-FIRE/LAC) 2009: 16
Total # Inmates (as of 12/31/2009): 115

Camp Products

Valley View camp places decals on nomex material for fires and the silk screen shop makes signs and decals for government agencies

Community service projects

1. Clearing brush from the sides of the roads for visibility and safety

2. Cleaning out drainages during summer months so water flows freely

3. Paint firehouses

4. Clearing brush from populated areas for protection from wild land fires

Welcome to Valley View Conservation Camp #34

3339 County Road 307, Elk Creek, CA 95939
PH: (530) 968-5107

Camp Staff

B. Johnson, camp commander
M. Garate, assistant camp commander
T. Walters, correctional officer
J. Feeney, correctional officer
R. Parker, correctional officer
M. Chrasta, correctional officer
K. Curl, correctional officer
J. Garcia, correctional officer
S. Murphy, correctional officer
Vacant position, correctional officer

Cal Fire Staff

H. Love, division chief
G. Pasillas, fire captain b
J. Gowan, fire captain b
W. Rominger, fire captain b
S. Hartshorn, fire captain b
M. Mancini, fire captain b
J. Barry, fire captain b
P. Bymers, fire captain b
S. Klein, fire captain b
G. Boston, fire captain b
A. King, fire captain b
vacant pos, Fire captain b
R. Phillips, fire captain b
R. Hickerson, mechanic
D. Mcmaster, water and sewer plant operator
H. Fuehrer, office assistant

Camp History

Vallecito Conservation Camp, CC#1, was constructed and opened in 1958. Vallecito Conservation Camp is under the administrative supervision of Sierra Conservation Center (SCC). The camp’s primary mission is to provide inmate fire fighting crews for fire suppression and flood control activities in Calaveras and Tuolumne County areas as well as throughout the state of California. In addition to fire suppression and flood control, inmate fire crews provide a workforce for community service projects in the local area. The CAL FIRE in-camp project is fire hose pressure testing and repair. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) in-camp project is a large vegetable garden.

CDCR is responsible for the supervision, care and discipline of inmates. CDCR and CAL FIRE cooperatively maintain Vallecito camp. CAL FIRE supervises the inmate work crews on all community service projects. CAL FIRE is responsible for the safe custody of inmates while on their daily community service projects. Vallecito Camp maintains and operates a Mobile Kitchen Unit (MKU) which is dispatched to various emergencies throughout the state and is capable of serving large quantities of meals in remote areas. CDCR and CAL FIRE share the responsibility of training the supervising the inmate crew necessary to support this operation.

Inmate Programs

Valley View has an active Alcohol/Narcotics Anonymous organization meeting regularly with an onsite sponsor. Continual classes are being given to encourage complete abstinence from drugs and alcohol.