We’re excited to share that our documentary Firebreak, was recently featured on The Daily Show! In an interview with Jon Stewart, Royal Ramey, Co-Founder & CEO of The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program and the protagonist of the film, discussed his experience working as a firefighter while incarcerated and how those challenges shaped the vital work FFRP is doing today.

In addition to the Daily Show feature, Firebreak and Royal have also been recognized by the Obama Foundation. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama shared an image from the film on Instagram, amplifying the critical work of Royal—a 2023 Obama Foundation Leader—and FFRP. The Foundation also featured Royal’s story in an article, highlighting the impact of his efforts to transform lives, train firefighters, and combat California’s wildfire crisis.

Firebreak follows the journey of Royal and Brandon Smith, two men who met while battling wildfires within the California prison system. Despite the many challenges they faced—both institutional and financial—Royal and Brandon are now dedicated to training the next generation of wildland firefighters, providing others with the opportunities they never had.

We’re incredibly proud of the attention Firebreak and FFRP have received, and are excited to continue sharing the progress of this powerful story. To learn more about the film and the important work of FFRP, visit firebreakfilm.com.