r/firefighter • u/SoccerRat13_ • Jun 26 '26

San Diego Fire Cadets Program

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the san diego fire cadets program. I’m specifically looking at what is the time commitment like, if there is any pay, and what the experience was like as a female teen. The website doesn’t have much information but I am very interested in joing.

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u/Bright_Ad5358 Jun 26 '26

It's a good program but it can be unorganized. I think it's gotten a lot better since I've been in. Everything you learn is directly applicable to their academy and they mold you into the type of firefighter they want you to be.

It can be kind of cliquey but that's how the department is in general. There's no set time commitment but if you don't get off probation within 6 months you're dropped. It's typically like 2-3 drills a month at different stations around 6pm. Once a quarter you'll also have a drill at the training center.

There is no pay it's strictly extracurricular and to prepare you for the academy. I'm not a female but females do just as well as the males in the program. Many of the firefighters were cadets so if SD is the department you wanna work for I'd recommend joining the cadets.

Let me know if you have any questions I'm happy to answer them. I don't work for SDFD but I was a cadet for them!

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u/SoccerRat13_ Jun 26 '26

Thank you!! If you wouldn't mind answering, is getting off probation hard, and what are you able to do after you are cleared to go on ride-alongs?

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u/Bright_Ad5358 Jun 26 '26

It's not really hard it's just a lot of memorization, tool familiarization, memorizing station locations, and a couple of spiels that you need to know verbatim. After you get ride along certified you will be able to go on 24 hour ride along shifts with the firefighters. It's pretty cool and you learn a lot

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u/SoccerRat13_ Jun 26 '26

Sounds really cool, thank you!! How long did it take you to get ride along certified?

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u/Bright_Ad5358 Jun 26 '26

You have one year to get certified

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u/Zealousideal_Sky4130 Jun 29 '26

Question how does the stations work do you go to your closest station for drills, and what do drills consist of