Start dates for Cal Fire Season?

[Friction]

I'm going to the local fire academy starting Jan. 5th and will be done sometime around May 18th of 2009. My question is can I apply as a FF-1 prior to being done with this, and if so, when do the report dates usually begin for Cal Fire stations? Is it seasonaly dependent on weather etc?

Thanks Again. Joel.

[Bushwhacker]

Joel,

Are you a type-2 already and plan on working on your type 1 PTB while your in your academy? Taskbooks can take a lil while longer than expected to sign off just keep that in mind.

[Friction]

Joel,

Are you a type-2 already and plan on working on your type 1 PTB while your in your academy? Taskbooks can take a lil while longer than expected to sign off just keep that in mind.

Well to be honest I am not sure what you mean by type-2 and type-1 PTB so I can't give you an answer regarding that. Also, I'm not exactly sure what the taskbook is/ consists of.

Would you mind explaining for me?

The fire academy I'm going to be attending is a regional academy through the local community college. After completion I'll have my state FF-1 Cert. as well as my EMT-B license.

[Bushwhacker]

Joel,

I am referring to the NWCG tpe one and type two certification. As far as the State of Cal. i do not know how they are set up.

Your NWCG FFT2, consists of your basic class. Your FFT1 is your advanced firefigther class. After you have completed that class you will be issued a Postion task book,(PTB) There will be a list of tasks that you have to complete under supervision of a FFT1 or higher, after you have everything completed you will then be recomened for certification.

[mrjcrickett]

Joel,

"My question is can I apply as a FF-1 prior to being done with this"

Yes, you must apply to each unit individually. The more apps you put out the better.

http://www.fire.ca.gov/about/about_careers_fireprotection_s easonal.php



"when do the report dates usually begin for Cal Fire stations? Is it seasonally"

Each unit does its own hiring so start dates will differ. Some units do not have a "fire season" such as San Diego. FF1s work 9 months in 3 platoons. In the summer there is "augment " hiring.

If you get a call from a unit it will be to go in for an interview. You need to come up with a way to be there. Its up to you to make it happen.

All that talk about PTBs is irrelevant to you . Your FF1 academy is SFM I guess and it has nothing to do with how the NWCG rates firefighters and CDF does not use the standards anyway so ignore the other poster.

Goodluck.

[Bushwhacker]

You CDF Does not use the NWCG standereds at all? So say some one has 4 plus years as a Engine boss in MT, the quals won't cross over? Wow thats kind of a cruddy deal for some one looking to cross over

[Ticonderoga]

You CDF Does not use the NWCG standereds at all? So say some one has 4 plus years as a Engine boss in MT, the quals won't cross over? Wow thats kind of a cruddy deal for some one looking to cross over
I think exceptions would be made

[slowstrike]

All units accept applications starting the first business day in November. What you need is: EMT-B, SFM FF1,CDF 67 hour FF-1 basic. I dont know about applying before you have your certifications.
Your best bet if you cant get your certs done before the cuttoff (I think its Jan,1.) would be too find a volunteer station near where you live and put in some station time familiarize yourself with general station duties and get some training through your volunteer dept.

[dbier57]

The applications for CAL FIRE FF1 open the 1st of November and close Jan 31 each year. The only things required for this position are a valid CPR card, First Responder, and a CDF 67 hour wildland class, which the state calls a CDF FF1. With that being said, you will have a hard time getting hired without the basics already listed, CSFM FF1, EMT, etc. Since you will be in an academy, you should have a pretty good chance of getting a job, not to mention the amount of turnover in the state has left openings in every rank for the last 4 years. And for Bushwacker, its not that the NWCG certs don't cross over, they are not required so you'll have to get a CDF 67 for hiring, and those others should only help.

P.S. There is talk of making the CDF BAsic FF1 165 hours instead of 67, so try and find a class before that happens.

[mrjcrickett]

"You CDF Does not use the NWCG standereds at all? So say some one has 4 plus years as a Engine boss in MT, the quals won't cross over? Wow thats kind of a cruddy deal for some one looking to cross over"

"I think exceptions would be made"

No exceptions are made. The agency has standards for company officers and that is the State Fire Marshall standard. On the supplemental application for the permanent positions there are points given for training such as NWCG classes. You can check the box for S-230/231 for points.

As far as someone looking to cross over latterly we do fly on occasion an "open list" for captain. You pretty much have to have California municipal and or wildland firefighting experience at a supervisory level. If not you must have the SFM classes and certs for Fire Officer, firefighting experience and something else special to cross over. Some of my friends who came over from the USFS were Hotshot superintendents, Battalion Chiefs, ect.... You get the idea.

[JulianNorCal]

Joel, Since your not going to have all the certifications that Cal Fire is looking for when you go in for your interview, attach a letter to your application which you turn in before the end of January stating that you are in an academy and will have these certs. by the end of the academy.

Also about the 67 hour FF1 changing to 100+... my roommate was talking to a Cal Fire Captain here in Butte and the Captain said that yes the hours to complete the class will change but the class will still be called the 67 hour FF1. Does anyone know of places either Bay Area, Sacramento or north that are putting this class on this fall?

[Ticonderoga]

Joel, Since your not going to have all the certifications that Cal Fire is looking for when you go in for your interview, attach a letter to your application which you turn in before the end of January stating that you are in an academy and will have these certs. by the end of the academy.

Also about the 67 hour FF1 changing to 100+... my roommate was talking to a Cal Fire Captain here in Butte and the Captain said that yes the hours to complete the class will change but the class will still be called the 67 hour FF1. Does anyone know of places either Bay Area, Sacramento or north that are putting this class on this fall?

I believe the official academy is only held in Ione now.

[mrjcrickett]

"I believe the official academy is only held in Ione now.

The academy for permanent employees is done primarily done at the Ione academy. There are other regional academies being held. In the extreme north (Weed) and south ( San Marcos, Riverside) due to Ione not being able to handle the load. The Basic Wildland Fire cert known as the "67" is held in many places, Unit training divisions, community colleges and private academies. Although it is still called the "67" it is now going longer in most places. The "Basic Wildland Firefighter" cert is what you need to be hired as a FF1. Call your local unit training officer and ask who is hosting it in your area.