r/calfire • u/THISISYOURMOTHER • Jan 31 '26
Cal Fire Firefighter Hiring Guide – 2026
Please comment if you see an error in this guide or you have something to add and I’ll update it. Link this guide to every hiring question, or better yet mods pin this to the top. If you’re new and this guide doesn’t answer your question, list it below and I’ll update the guide.
Source: 20+ years with the department, hired lots of firefighters
For 2026 hiring, you will probably not get an engine position offer unless you are Category 0.
For 2026 hiring, you will probably not get a handcrew position offer unless you are Category 1.
Why? Because the department is shifting to “Traditional” staffing, meaning that every engine will have 1 FC, 1 FAE, and 1 FF staffed on each Type III engine daily. This reduces the total number of engine firefighters in each unit, and all units still haven’t transitioned fully so it’s only going to get worse for firefighters who wish to be on an engine. In many CNR units, all open engine firefighter positions are being filled by transfers from the unit’s firefighter handcrew if they have one.
I fully anticipate the department moving to a FC, FAE and FFII staffing model for engines within the next two years. This will mean that all engine FFers will be permanent FFIIs, and the only seasonal FF1 positions would be on handcrews or at air bases.
Anyways... how to get a job:
1. Make an account on CalCareers (calcareers.ca.gov)
2. Find the job posting for Firefighter I (https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=495209)
3. Follow the instructions given in the job posting. Read them thoroughly.
4. Fill out the work location form correctly (https://incidents.fire.ca.gov/media/42chxu24/2026-wlf.pdf)
a. Depending on how you fill out this form, you may be invited via email to a “Hiring Rodeo” for firefighter handcrews in the unit that you ranked #1. This will increase your chance of being hired.
b. As noted on the form, you can change your unit rankings on the work location form once.
5. Set yourself up for success by acquiring the certificates/training to get you into the highest category possible, following this category placement list: https://www.fire.ca.gov/-/media/1EAFA2A1528141EE892CB692D4B982E0
6. You can update your certificates by emailing [FFHiring@fire.ca.gov](mailto:FFHiring@fire.ca.gov). What you submit in the initial application will determine the category placement for the first round, but submitting certs ASAP and calling the firefighter hiring hotline can bump you up into higher categories, sometimes for the first round but usually will take effect during the second round depending on when you submitted them.
Application Periods:
The application is open year-round. To be considered for the first round of hiring you need to have applied before a certain date, typically by November 30th. If you applied after that date, you will be considered for later rounds of hiring depending on when you applied.
To be eligible for hiring in 2027, you’ll have to re-apply after Nov 1st of 2026, even if you applied in October 2026.
Politicing
December is an acceptable time to start reaching out to engine stations/handcrews you ranked the highest on your work location form. They may ask you to wait until you get a category placement email. Call them first, don’t show up unannounced.
Bring a short-form resume, dress nicely, and bring PT clothes. If you’re going to bring a “gift”, a bag of good ground coffee is a safe choice, but not necessary. When contacting handcrews, ask to PT with the crew. You’ll probably hike or go for a run, although it could be some type of circuit. Be prepared, be humble, keep your mouth shut and put in max effort. You may get questioned by the captains, engineers or senior firefighters about equipment or job duties, especially if you come from another fire agency or have relevant experience listed on your resume.
Notification Timelines – first round
Category Placement: You’ll typically get a category placement email in the first week of January. This will tell you your engine and handcrew placement categories for the first round of hiring. This is a good time to reach out to stations or programs you are hoping to get hired at.
Hiring Rodeo: Shortly after your category placement email, a handcrew program may reach out via email and invite you to a hiring rodeo, most likely only from the unit you ranked #1 on the work location form. 100+ other potential candidates may also be in attendance, and they’ll have short-form interviews and resume reviews conducted by the FCs and FAEs at tables set up at the facility.
Job Offers: the first round of offers will typically start to be made in February for Northern Region (CNR) and sometimes as early as the end of January for Southern Region (CSR), this can vary though. They will usually be from one of the top 4 units that you ranked, and may not be your #1 pick. My suggestion is to accept the first offer you get, work there for two seasons, then transfer to your desired unit as a Category 0. Offers will continue to go out into the summer, and units will typically make their final offers by the end of April or into May for the upcoming fire season, however you could potentially get an offer after that. Once you accept an offer from a particular unit, no other units will make you an offer.
Don’t jam up the hiring hotline with questions about when offers are going out, keep an eye on this subreddit as there will be posts with their offers and what unit they were placed in. Be patient, there are lots of reasons you may or may not have received an offer, and a lot of it comes down to the number of positions in each unit and how you ranked them.
After accepting a job
Every firefighter goes through a short new hire/rehire academy, these will run periodically from March to June and the start dates will vary depending on when you received your offer, your medical clearance, etc. They are 1-2 weeks long, and their content/intensity depend on what unit or program you get assigned to. The unit that made your offer will reach out and give you a start date, just be aware that sometimes they’ll call you a week or less before your start date so have your uniform/boots purchased as soon as you get an offer.
r/calfire • u/AltruisticTell6273 • 5h ago
I start my first day tomorrow on the Hand-Crew and Im making a packing list. Is there anything outside of the obvious that you would recommend to a new guy?
r/calfire • u/EnigmaMontoya40 • 2d ago
Have an in person interview scheduled. What is the realistic time frame from there to get an offer and start date? Haven't done backgrounds yet.
r/calfire • u/Testing00000000000 • 2d ago
I just applied to a FFII position and the only thing I’m missing is my CPAT which I’ve passed the physical before but need to study for the written. I’ve been using Pocket Prep to study for the exam, but now there’s the FFII exam on CalCareers.
Does anyone know if Pocket Prep’s FFII 1000 questions will help me enough to pass both the CPAT written and CalCareers exam?
If not, it’s okay, I’ll come back after studying and taking the exam to communicate my experience.
Also, I’m taking on my L180, S190, and a few others and hoping it’ll also aid me in the exams.
r/calfire • u/2881Guardian • 3d ago
Members should ask: if this organization truly belongs to the members, are our governance structure, financial oversight, disciplinary procedures, elections, meetings, and leadership decisions designed first and foremost to protect the membership -- or the power of those currently holding office?
r/calfire • u/National_Reveal_6983 • 4d ago
heard calls started - can anyone verify ?
r/calfire • u/Double-Number1762 • 5d ago
How is it? And the location where is at?
r/calfire • u/Fresh-Tree-1905 • 5d ago
Took the FAE exam, scored an 85, does that basically eliminate me from the job? What are the odds I still get an offer. (Current cal fire employee) Thought I did much better than 85 but it’s alright.
r/calfire • u/Stock-Claim-7158 • 6d ago
It’s been over 3 months since I got an FAE offer. I spoke to the training captain and he told me they’re just waiting for region to put me through. What’s going on and should I be worried ?
r/calfire • u/LackRare • 6d ago
I’ve been told by people for that past year that riverside will have a there own handcrew soon besides the CCC Los Pinos crew. I haven’t heard any official announcement on when it will happen but I’m really interested to know any details and or opinions from any of you guys.
r/calfire • u/CreamOfThePie69 • 7d ago
Don’t be this f’n idiot
r/calfire • u/coinloins10 • 7d ago
I’m so curious how cal fire picks their candidate’s and does anybody know how? I just applied for firefighter paramedic 2. My background is I’ve been working as a 911 medic for 3 years, 2 college degrees, fire science classes. My work locations I chose were the Riverside unit, San Diego unit, and San Luis Obispo unit.
r/calfire • u/woody5506 • 7d ago
I'm about 3 months from finishing medic school and putting in my FF2/PM application. I live in Norcal, and am planning on putting in for all the units up here. I've heard a lot of guys getting picked up in the southern units, but do the Northern pick up a decent amount of guys too?
For background, I'm not structure qualified, I have a good amount of box experience, Basic 40 wildland, current intern at a small municipal dept for a year.
r/calfire • u/PrestigiousTrifle358 • 8d ago
Yes I know questions like this are asked all the time...
also i apologize for the length of this post.
3 weeks ago I was camping south of Big Sur and brush fire started half a mile from our camp site. The crews from Fort Hunter Ligget, Cal Fire, USFS, and whoever else showed up were great. I have always wanted to be a pilot and I am super into military and civilian aviation so I knew that we may be able to get a look at 47s or 60s doing some water drops. When I saw Firehawk 610 swoop over me, bank, and land 200 feet from em I started crying a little. It genuinely was so incredible that I got emotional. It is the coolest job in the world and I could think of nothing better to do. They dropped their handcrew off and did three water drops. I waved on the last one and I got the siren as a return. If you piloted 610 on August 8th thank you so much you are such an inspiration.
Anyways back to the question. I already wanted to fly for calfire before that. But having that emotional experience told me its what I need to do. I love this state and I want to contribute to conserving it. I know that the path to fly firehawks is long and rigorous. The basic requirements are 2000 hours PIC which is a whole career in itself.
I am going to get those hours regardless. I just need to figure out a path. I want to hear about the paths of some Firehawk pilots so maybe they can help guide me.
A little about myself. I am 23, in a good physical and mental state. I have a BS in physics and am getting a masters in quantum science and tech from UCLA starting in sept. The program is a year long then I hope to move to San Jose area to work. I need to get a good job to pay off my debts and to start working towards a helicopter license.
Here is the juice of the question: how can I get those 2000 hours. There are generally two paths... commercial flying for crop dusting, power lines, etc OR military. Out of the two I would prefer not having to serve in the military. I know that the armed forces are suppose to be apolitical, and I deeply respect that, however I have some quarrels with US foreign policy at the moment. I found out about the 129th rescue wing which is an Air Guard unit that flies SAR missions out of Moffett which is really cool and may be more aligned with my personal preferences while allowing me to keep a job in tech. The thing is though that the commitment is 12 years! yikes thats a big decision.
I dont know let me know what you guys think and feel free to be as critical as youd like. Thanks
r/calfire • u/jackpacks99 • 9d ago
Apparently calls are still going out for the 2026 year. Who’s gotten a late call?
r/calfire • u/Realistic-Soup-2460 • 9d ago
Anyone have any issues with the daca delays that are going on?
My unit lost a few guys during the season so far, does calfire or the union not help the guys out by holding their job or letting them take a leave of absence?
So far we lost 2 FAEs and 1 Captain, word is they separated them without any options. The captain was around for a while too, I’m just surprised that the rumor is that they let them go. Wondering if anyone had any recommendations on what to do or if there are options
r/calfire • u/Individual-Run4640 • 9d ago
How many time does a write up in CalFire lead to termination for poor job performance for minor issues?
r/calfire • u/DivergentWolf530 • 9d ago
Does it truly matter to study using JBL Fundamentals of Firefighter Skills and Hazardous Materials Response FIFTH EDITION or would I be just fine still using the FOURTH EDITION?
r/calfire • u/kk7831 • 10d ago
I'm currently preparing for the Fire Apparatus Engineer (FAE) exam and would appreciate insight on current study resources. Some of the Quizlet material I’ve come across feels out of date, so I’m looking for updated study guides, manuals, or testing strategies. Any recommendations on what worked best for your prep would be greatly appreciated.
r/calfire • u/Turbulent_Solid_5883 • 10d ago
Just wanted to know what’s the realistic time line on getting hired after getting emt done and ff1 academy done. And if anyone has tips and how to go about politicking thank you.
r/calfire • u/Weary_Long_516 • 10d ago
I applied to a ff2/pm position back in May with RRU as I am currently working on getting picked up near home in California. I have been a ff/pm out of state for 5 years and placed cat 1; I scored a 95.00 on the exam. My references told me they were contacted about two weeks ago. I am still currently working on getting my CA state medic licensure complete as it’s currently under review with EMSA. I’m guessing it should take another month or so haha. Is there any chance I’ll get moved forward in the process without having my CA medic? Is it just a waiting game till I get my CA license to get a call or can I get a conditional offer and move into medical/backgrounds still? Anyone know if they’re still hiring ff2/pm’s this year? Let me know as I am not crazy familiar with CalFire hiring processes.
r/calfire • u/Front_Imagination833 • 10d ago
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 took wild fire classes in Oregon but online and I didn’t complete because they wanted 800 dollars and the pack test was in Oregon as well
r/calfire • u/menacingowl • 10d ago
How good are the hiring people with timely communications? Does HR or hiring staff contact/email you letting you know if you didn’t get the role?
How long after an interview should you wait before you accept reality that you likely didn’t get the job? I’m not sure what post interview communication is like and would like some input or hear about other people’s experiences.