25 struggling with small family want to join
Anybody tel me about the process ?
No criminal record
Motivated I guess
I failed Emt and I am currently enrolled in college
But mainly how can I get in what should I do and look out for any advice on the procces or information
I’m 22, I’m deciding if I should go to college or Join the Corps I really want to become a wildfire firefighter and I’m not sure if join CCC’s would be more beneficial to become a wildfire fighter or if I should go the college route just need some info it’s possible to get a job after joining the CCC’s.
I’m 25 from NYC. I feel like FDNY makes you jump through so many hoops just to be able to join the academy and the pay (for both EMT and FDNY) is really low. It’s an open, VERY competitive exam that comes around once every 4 years. I was looking at California fire departments and they seem to be a lot more open (increased demand) + starting pay for firefighters is $85k+ in a lot of departments (compared to $55k for FDNY).
Is it feasible to relocate from NYC to California to establish residency and then join the fire academy in California?
If it matters, I’m currently working as a personal trainer and have a degree in accounting (I hate accounting). I just want to be a firefighter, man.
Where can I find "Public Safety First Aid" in-person certification courses?
I’m an Explorer at a CAL FIRE station, and I’ve been wondering about the whole “city vs. CAL FIRE” career choice. We usually hear about the benefits of CAL FIRE, like the overtime, all the different jobs and opportunities within the department, and the ability to work in different areas throughout California.
From a completely unbiased perspective, if you could go back to when you were deciding on your career, would you choose CAL FIRE again? What made you choose CAL FIRE over a city department, or vice versa? And what do you think are the biggest pros and cons of each that people don’t usually talk about?
Sorry if this is a dumb question I’m just trying to learn as much as I can while I’m an Explorer and figure out what direction I might want to go in the future.
Hey, I know this gets asked a million times and I know the chances of getting picked up this late in the season are probably pretty low, but I’m trying to give myself the best shot I can.
For the August work location form, I changed my preferences to all hand crews first and then engines. Before that, I had every location selected but had engines ranked first.
I have my FF1, EMT, and experience, and I originally applied back in November, but I still haven’t heard anything. I’ve done a little politicking, but I probably could’ve done more.
Is there anything else I can realistically do at this point to improve my chances of getting picked up? I’m genuinely trying my hardest just to get an opportunity and get my foot in the door. Thank you for any advice you guys have.
What are some good wildland boots? I have haix xr2 pro’s for my station boot but need a good pair for wildland.
Is there any study material or practice test to prep for and during the ffa/coa (going is a fae).
I understand that I need to get an EMT Cert. Any recommendations as to where?
I am looking at the required training document I was sent and see that the 1C wildland requirement lists S-130, S-190, S-131, and L-180.
I found these courses on the NWCG Wildland Fire Learning Portal (wfcourses.nwcg.gov) and they appear to be free and available online.
Can you confirm that completing S-190, L-180, S-130, and S-131 through the NWCG Wildland Fire Learning Portal satisfies the 1C wildland requirement for CAL FIRE Category 1 status?
I understand S-130 requires a mandatory in-person field day to complete. Can anyone point me toward any upcoming S-130 field days near Sacramento so I can finish that component as soon as possible?
I want to make sure I am doing the right courses before I invest the time.
Looking into applying for FF2 when the app opens. I have been on crew without my FF1 academy, will not having my FF1 set me back on the pick list? Do the FF2s who apply get categorized like FF1s? When does the app open?
Should I write off this season when my 4th choice of unit calls? It's for DSI.
What’s the best unit to go to for OOC assignments. Why do some units barely go out while others are out all season? Im in NorCal btw (btu).
At any point will there be ff2 at the camps? Has this rumor shown any truth?
I graduated from my firefighter 1 academy in spring of 2025 then my wife had my son. I’m looking to get back into the fire service in one form or another. If I were to apply to Calfire within the next week what’s the chances of getting hired this fall?
Certs I have are:
1D CAL FIRE: Fire Protection Orientation
C-212: Wildland Fire Chainsaws
S-130: Wildland Firefighting Training
S-131: Firefighter Type 1
S-190: Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
L-180: Human Factors in the Fire Service
Wildland Safety and Survival Level 1
Fire Fighter 1 Internationally Accredited
NREMT
Hazardous Materials FRA/FRO Internationally Accredited
CPAT
Wildland Fire Fighter 1 Internationally Accredited
Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue Technician
Confined Space Rescue Awareness
Fire Control 3: Structural Fire Fighting (Fixed Facility)
Fire Control 4A: Ignitable Liquids and Gases Awareness/Operations
Fire Control 4B: Ignitable Liquids and
Gases Technician
Fire Fighter Survival
ICS 100,200,700,800
Anyone have a radio call plan PDF I can upload to Ignis? Have one that’s for Avenza but I don’t want to pay for it
Can’t anyone tell me how CZU is as a unit. And how they might treat their 2’s or even their seasonals?
Does anyone have any advice on getting sponsored through MVC fire academy by Cal Fire? This is my dream agency but im finding it difficult to get any information online.
I will have completed my Cpat, FIT 1, & EMT certs by the time the actual academy starts however will still be working towards it for a few weeks when the application process opens up in November. Thanks!
Throwaway account; I have an engineer at my station who very casually throws around racial slurs. He has used racial slurs in front of me and other fighters in regards to about every race, and refereed to other calfire employees by these slurs, including 'beaner' fire fighter, 'jew' chief, has expressed and laughed at black employees and people as 'coons' and called an asian employee a 'gook' to his face.
I am weighing my options, and interested in any input.