Firefighters and Camps, Inside CDCR Video, Rehabilitation

CMC physical fitness class is first firefighter step

October 28, 2024

Training on steps while wearing a weighted pack.

For incarcerated people interested in becoming a firefighter, California Men’s Colony (CMC) offers Physical Fitness Training (PFT).

The three-week program conducted at CMC’s Camp Cuesta in San Luis Obispo tests the men’s strength and endurance.

“PFT class is conducted on and off the yard where they can be challenged similar as they would be fighting a fire on a hill anywhere in the state of California,” said Sgt. B. Schnore.

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Schnore, who has worked with CDCR for more than 20 years, said this is the best program he has ever heard of in the state.

“This program is the main reason most of us are over here,” Schnore said. “These guys actually work. They achieve a goal in their personal lives (and) become better people. (Also,) they can carry this back to the streets with them and apply it to become a functional member of society.”

The paramilitary style class helps them learn self-discipline and follow instructions when taking the physical training and safety courses.

Among the trainings they need to pass include:

four-mile hike wearing a 25-pound weighted backpack
14 minutes of Harvard steps with the weighted pack
one-minute straight arm hang
two minutes to complete 35 Burpee exercises
two minutes to complete 35 push-ups
one minute to complete 25 sit-ups
and finish a mile run in less than nine minutes.

The program has been running at CMC since 2009.

A physical fitness training coach at California Men's Colony. — Bruce Ferrall, coach

A CDCR sergeant at Camp Cuesta at California Men's Colony. — Bruce Ferrall, coach

Coach Bruce Ferrall, who started teaching in 2014, said the program helps incarcerated participants learn how to overcome obstacles.

“I expose them so they can understand how their body works, and to help them realize it’s just another day. Every day you are faced with obstacles,” he explained. “They just have to have that mindset this is nothing, this is just a temporary discomfort. That’s all it is.”

After not passing the program the first time, Tycory Hempstead is taking another run at the class.

“Each time has gotten me in better physical shape, and I feel a lot better afterwards. At first, I was kind of upset I didn’t want to do it two times, but I am happy I did. It has actually benefited me in more ways than I thought both mentally and physically and I am becoming a team player,” said Hempstead.

Sutton, a PFT clerk, assists Coach Ferral with his class.

“It’s a really fun program. It brings guys together, pushes guys to different levels they didn’t know they could reach, and helps them get home to their family,” said Sutton.

He has been a part of the program for two years.

“It’s fun helping people realize they can do more things than they thought they could, help them realize maybe this isn’t the end of the road for them. Some may think they are not worth anything or think they can’t anything besides crime, so giving them a chance to become firefighters, learn from each other, it’s a great feeling,” said Sutton.

Once completing all the requirements, the men move to the next step of Fire Fighter Training (FFT).

Incarcerated person Tycory Hempstead at doing physical fitness training program at California Men's Colony. — Tycory Hempstead, incarcerated participant

“I feel like this is giving me a head start to change my life for the better. It really gets guys in shape so they can be safe out there fighting fires and helps guys home to their family,” said Hempstead.

Once they complete the two-week FFT program, they will be sent to one of CDCR’s conservation camps.

“I am going to make sure I keep these certificates and make sure I use those the best I can and get myself ready to return to society because I want to return to my family,” said Hempstead. “I want to be able to provide so I am going to take these certificates and use them for my benefit and use them to find job employment.”

Story by Ashton Harris, information officer
Office of Public and Employee Communications