Royal Ramey is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP), transforming the landscape of wildland firefighting by creating pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals. His own journey from California’s fire camp program to becoming a seasoned wildland firefighter with the US Forest Service and CAL FIRE fueled his mission to break down systemic barriers in the industry. <\/p>\n
Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, Chief Ramey planned on a career in business, but when he was twenty years old he found himself sentenced to six years at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi. He was then quickly transferred to Mississippi because of overcrowding in California. Chief Ramey jumped on the opportunity to come home by joining a California Conservation Camp (\u201cFire Camp\u201d) program in California.<\/p>\n
After his release in 2014, and with the drive to pursue a career as a firefighter, Chief Ramey went from station to station but quickly encountered systemic inequities preventing him from obtaining employment. To bolster his application, Chief Ramey pursued further training at Victor Valley College and after eleven months and graduating top of his class he received an opportunity to join the Mojave Greens (US Forest Service) in San Bernardino, California.<\/p>\n
Chief Ramey has spent more than ten years as a wildland firefighter in the US Forest Service CAL FIRE, and FFRP\u2019s own Buffalo Handcrew before becoming the organization\u2019s Chief Executive Officer. He is intensely aware of what is needed to train individuals to excel at an advanced level within the forestry and fire sector. FFRP\u2019s placement of more than 200 people directly into this sector speaks to his accomplishments and work ethic. He is a 2023 Obama Leaders USA Program Participant & 2024 TED Fellow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"