Former Inmate Hired as Georgia Firefighter After Training Program

Damien Hill spent nearly 20 years in prison before joining the Spalding County Fire Department's inmate firefighter program.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:39pm

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A high-contrast silkscreen print of a firefighter's helmet repeated in a grid, rendered in bright, neon-like colors with heavy black outlines, conceptually representing the empowering second chance provided by the inmate firefighter program.A bold, pop art-inspired illustration celebrates the second chance opportunity provided by the Spalding County Fire Department's inmate firefighter program.Atlanta Today

Damien Hill, who spent almost 20 years behind bars, has been hired as a firefighter by the Spalding County Fire Department in Georgia. Hill was part of a Department of Corrections program that trained inmates to become firefighters, and he was one of the original eight inmates from the Spalding County Correctional Institution to participate. After serving as a firefighter for three years while incarcerated, Hill was hired full-time by the department upon his release from prison in late October.

Why it matters

The Spalding County Fire Department's inmate firefighter program provides a unique second chance opportunity for former inmates like Damien Hill to gain valuable job skills and experience that can help them successfully reintegrate into society upon release. The program also benefits the fire department by giving them an additional pool of trained firefighters to draw from.

The details

Damien Hill spent almost 20 years in Georgia prisons for being the getaway driver in an armed robbery. While incarcerated, he stayed out of trouble, changed his mindset, and trained to become a firefighter through a Department of Corrections program. After three years of serving as a firefighter while still incarcerated, Hill was hired full-time by the Spalding County Fire Department upon his release from prison in late October.

  • Hill spent almost 20 years behind bars.
  • For the last three years of his incarceration, Hill trained to become a firefighter.
  • Hill was released from prison in late October.

The players

Damien Hill

A former inmate who spent almost 20 years in prison and is now employed as a firefighter by the Spalding County Fire Department after participating in their inmate firefighter training program.

Spalding County Fire Department

A fire department in Georgia that has a program that trains inmates to become firefighters, and has now hired one of those former inmates, Damien Hill, as a full-time firefighter.

Georgia Department of Corrections

The state agency that runs the program that trained Damien Hill and other inmates to become firefighters while incarcerated.

Chief Mike Byrd

The fire chief of the Spalding County Fire Department who oversaw the department's inmate firefighter program and hired Damien Hill as a full-time firefighter.

Warden Eric Sellers

The warden of the Spalding County Correctional Institution who was involved in the selection process for the inmate firefighter program.

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What they’re saying

“When they pull up, it's like the calvary pulling up because we're a small department. We have two people to an engine. When they come pulling up, it's ideal and they go straight to work they're good firefighters.”

— Chief Mike Byrd, Fire Chief, Spalding County Fire Department

“This is one of the best interviews on the face of the planet because we actually get to train them our way, see their job performance, work ethic, how they get along as a team.”

— Chief Mike Byrd, Fire Chief, Spalding County Fire Department

“Now I'm in a position where I'm getting off the engine first, I'm first in. I'm able to deal with people first handedly without any supervision and help without any supervision.”

— Damien Hill

“My mind state was clearly: Don't come out looking for a hand-out, come out giving a hand, and that's what I did.”

— Damien Hill

What’s next

The Spalding County Fire Department plans to continue its inmate firefighter training program, providing more former inmates like Damien Hill with the opportunity to gain valuable job skills and experience that can help them successfully reintegrate into society.

The takeaway

The Spalding County Fire Department's inmate firefighter program demonstrates how providing second chance opportunities and job training for former inmates can benefit both the individuals and the community. By giving inmates like Damien Hill the chance to develop skills and contribute as firefighters, the program helps reduce recidivism and strengthens the local fire department.