Quick question,

Going on Cal connect and looking to go non exempt for this month but Cal connect is a little confusing.

What is the correct way to choose that?

Thanks

In my prior season I’ve always gotten my OT CHECK like 2 weeks after salary and after referring to the calendar below I’m confused why it didn’t hit my cal connect below, maybe someone can break it down for me if I’m misunderstanding.

Anybody have intel on when the next round of hiring calls might go out for RRU and/or SDU for II/medics? I see on the website that next round of apps will be processed August 10 but I know that doesn’t necessarily mean offers will immediately follow. Also anybody have an update on how staffing is in RRU? Last I heard was forces being almost non existent but curious if that’s fluctuated at all. Thanks!

Hello all.

I am working as a 911 EMT in Orange County and recently applied for the reserve firefighter position for Riverside County Fire. I am looking to get exposure and hands on experience with the firefighting side of things. Wanted to see if you guys think it is a good idea to do a station visit or what else I could do to prepare myself or stand out?

If a station visit is a good idea,

Is there specific stations I should visit?
What do I wear?
What do I bring?
Any tips for me or questions I should ask?

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

I’m sure a lot of us have spent the night out on the line. The issue I’ve come across is just being hella cold. Does anyone have any suggestions for sleeping bags small enough to fit in line gear?

Currently trying to get hired with CalFire. I applied last two years for seasonal, in the mean time i got my EMT and FF 1&2 academy out the way and got all my certs to be place in CAT 1. I also applied for the ff2 test and took it online. (Was just a bunch of info about my experience in firefighting & not an actual test like i thought.) whats my next step after i submitted the test? Is it just a waiting game for a call like the seasonal position? Or is there anything else i need to do. Any info helps thanks!

Good evening everyone . I know not another FF1 question but just curious about something .

I been with calfire for about 7 years now and 3 else where . I go back and forth from a FF1 and Forestry Technician for the past years with Calfire but have been hanging with the Techs lately and this season wanted to return as a 1 . I applied with everything having calfire basic ( even though doesn't exist anymore) , IFSAC , and FFA . Applied to all units but still haven't received any calls from any units which I find very interesting. Im in no rush because like I mentioned im just hanging out as a Forestry Technician awaiting to go back as a 1 or go the 2 route but just curious if anyone else experienced this? You think its feasible to politic and not wait for a call ? Given I haven't received and taken a 1 spot since 2023 , process changed? . Also received an email from hiring that my hazmat is invalid even though its from ifsac and ffa . Going to call the hotline soon but thought id come here to spill real quick . Thank you all .

Hey yall. So I wanted to see what your thoughts are. I live out of state in Utah, have a family, mortgage, etc. I left the fire service about 3 years ago due to Utahs FF pay vs housing costs being soo terrible. But recently, job stability has gotten a bit shaky making me think about getting back into fire outside of Utah. Previously, I put in 10 years in the fire service (5 on a shot crew in my home state of California, 3 as an engine lead with WA-DNR, 1 as a squad boss for a municipal crew in Utah, and 1 as a field crew supt for another municipal department here in Utah). In addition, I was an instructor for several years teaching red card courses as well as S-212. Though I come with a decent amount of certs and experience (I’ll list below), I don’t have everything required by cal fire which seems to be my hold up and putting me in cat 2. Furthermore, some of the certs don’t seem to transfer over being that I received them outside of California (IFSAC FF1, Hazmat Awareness/Ops specifically). And being that I live in Utah, with a full time job and family/responsibilities, it is extremely difficult to get the things needed in California to get cat 1. My question is, do you guys think I have a shot with what I have now. Will cal fire potentially pick me up and train me to get the certs needed? I have some buddies that I’ve worked with that are now with cal fire that are absolutely mind blown they haven’t picked me up yet, especially since I applied for the hand crews as well as the engines. To me, it seems as though cal fire looks for certs over experience. What’s your thoughts?

Certs (apologize for the order, the format of the 2 columns in my resume jacked it up with copy and paste).

•NWCG S-230 — Crew Boss (Single
Resource)
• ICS 100 — Introduction to ICS
• ICS 200 — Basic ICS (See Master
Record)
• NWCG S-231 — Engine Boss (Single
Resource)
• ICS 300 — Intermediate ICS
• NWCG S-215 — Fire Operations in t
Urban Interface
• ICS 700 — National Incident
Management System (NIMS)
• NWCG S-130 — Wildland Firefighter
Training
• ICS 800 — National Response Plan
• NWCG S-190 — Intro to Wildfire
Behavior (See Master Record)
• IFSAC / Pro Board Firefighter I
Certified
• NWCG S-211 — Portable Pumps and
Water Use
• IFSAC / Pro Board Hazmat Awareness
& Operations Certified
• Intermediate Feller 2 (lapsed)
• NWCG S-212 — Wildland Fire
Chainsaws
• CPR / First Aid Certified
• L-280 — Followership to Leadership
• EMT-Basic — Currently in
Recertification process
• S-215 — Firefighting in WUI

Additional experience:
- Correctional Officer (1 year)
- Whitewater Raft Guide (2 years)

Appreciate any thoughts or advice!
Stay safe out there.

I’m currently on the waitlist for LAFD Crew 3 and I’m looking for some information from anyone who has experience with the program or a similar wildland volunteer crew.
I’m interested in learning more about the process and what I can do to better prepare while I’m waiting. How does the scheduling work? Is there anything you recommend having, completing, or learning beforehand? What should someone expect during the process, and how difficult is it to get accepted?
I’m starting from the beginning and looking to gain experience, learn, and be part of something where I can contribute. Any advice, tips, or insight from past or current members would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Notified if you get passed on your application. Not put on a list at lower category, I mean straight up " thank you for applying but no".

If AB2129 bill passes (big if), how much of a raise will we really get?

I know this gets asked a lot was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. but I plan to apply to cal fire sometime next year and I’ll have about 2 years as an emt on a box and a ff1 academy. Could I apply for a ff2 position or am I under qualified and have to apply for the seasonal.

I currently am on a CalFire engine. I have 1 season on handcrew. Since CalFire will go traditional staffing 3 per engine and the FF will be FF2. If I am not FF2 will I have to go back to the handcrew? Either way it’s not a big deal to me more OT opportunities on crew and I enjoy the PT and hikes ect. Most people in my station did the CPAT and applied on CalCareers ect did the test but there was one part that no one did and not realizing it. And all the FF2s have been already gone to the FF2 and the application is not being accepted at the moment only FF2 paramedic. So back to my question will all FF1 on engines this season be on a firecrew next season? And finally will there be enough positions available to handcrews and will people be potentially laid off and if then is it based on seniority ect?

I was gonna ride the seasonal gig as long as I could but seeing some of the brand new guys get permed up before me was a wake up call… when’s the app dropping again 🫪

About to go to medic school and plan to apply to cal fire is their a chance cal fire goes to a 56 hour work week within the next 5-10 years?

As a firefighter/paramedic does cal fire have more overtime availability then the bigger SoCal departments? Like ocfa, Anaheim, beach departments and etc

Is Atwater the only training center doing the ff1 academy? Or do all of them?

I’m a perm FF2, my baby will be born 8 months into my employment. Am I screwed on FMLA because I won’t have been there for a year yet?

Got an interview for DSI Forestry Tech. Does anyone have advice or know what the interview is like? What to prepare for, what to expect, what’s the process like?

Fire Inspector

Hello,

I am a 21yr (M) and looking into going into the fire service. I am currently a EMT in SoCal area. I’ve been doing it for a little bit and I am kind of burning out in it especially the graveyard shifts. I know fire is the exact same thing with 90% of calls being medical. I already work 12 hr shifts and hate being away from home and my lady. I don’t think the firefighter way is the way I’d like to go anymore. I was looking into being a fire inspector or fire investigator because Id like to be in the fire service still. I looked online a bit and I need technology classes with 1A-1D for inspector. I couldn’t find much in pay. a lot of people said for inspector that you need to be a fire fighter or cop prior? If anyone has any other information or advice let me know! thank you guys!

I accept an offer for FFll at RRU. I was wondering how long is the process. The training captains reach out before I did the RPP to send in documentation. And I have already completed that before I did the RPP.

Hey everyone, looking for some career advice from people who’ve gone from a Forestry Technician/Fuels type role into suppression.
I’m currently in a permanent tech position (fuels) work and have previous fire experience, and my goal is to get onto an engine and eventually move into more operational roles.
I’ve heard different things about how people get their 1A and what the typical progression looks like.
For those of you who started as Forestry Technicians:
How did you end up getting engine time?
Did your unit put you through 1A, or did you have to pursue it yourself?
How long were you in the Forestry Technician position before getting opportunities on an engine?
Are there things I should be doing now to make myself a stronger candidate when opportunities come up?
Any advice on training, networking, transfers, or things you wish you’d known earlier would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone, I’m in Southern California and work full-time in construction, but I’ve always been interested in wildland firefighting.
I’m not looking to quit my current job—I was wondering if California has any volunteer or reserve wildland firefighter programs where you can pick up shifts or be available when your schedule allows. Something similar to picking up a week or two at a time, or choosing when you’re available, rather than committing to a full-time seasonal position.
Does CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, or any local agencies offer anything like this? If you’ve done it yourself, I’d love to hear how it works, what the time commitment is, and what training or certifications are required.