Fire Service Career Information

Congratulations on your interest in a career in the fire service. Exciting career opportunities exist in the fields of Fire Suppression, Fire Protection Engineering, Fire Prevention, Hazardous Materials Management and Emergency Preparedness.

To assist you in becoming competitive as an entry level candidate, and to help you to build upon skills you may already possess, we have compiled information on local and national institutions and organizations that offer education and training programs designed to help entry level job seekers prepare themselves to meet their fire service career goals.

Please note that this list is not comprehensive, and the Santa Clara County Fire Department neither recommends nor endorses any of the institutions listed below; this list is for informational purposes only.

Downloadable/printable information brochures about Fire Service employment in general and specifically with County Fire are available on the Forms page.

Fire Service Career Information

The Santa Clara County Fire Department offers presentations on career firefighting as well as other fire service professions. If you would like to schedule a presentation, please contact the Public Education Office. For information about current job openings, please go to the Employment page (http://www.sccfd.org/employment.html) or e-mail the Santa Clara County Fire Department Personnel Services at .

If you are seeking a career in the fire service and would like to explore volunteer opportunities, there are many fire department suppression and non-suppression volunteer programs that exist throughout Santa Clara County. Below is a list of some of the programs, please contact each individual fire department for more information.

Career Programs within Santa Clara County

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire)
Apply for Firefighter 1 as a seasonal, temporary classification. Must be 18 years of age at time of appointment. File an application between the first of November through the last business day of January. Applications must be filed at each CAL Fire Unit where you wish to be considered for employment. More information: http://www.fire.ca.gov/about/about_careers_fireprotection_seasonal.php

Volunteer Programs within Santa Clara County

Mountain View Fire Department
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Volunteers (ages 18 and up) www.ci.mtnview.ca.us/city_hall/fire/default.asp
Contact Lynn Brown: 650.903.6825

Milpitas Fire Department
Community Fire Aide Program (ages 18 and up)
Contact: 408.586.2800 or e-mail: mgatchalian@ci.milpitas.ca.gov
Emergency Preparedness Resources and additional information: www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/resident/emergency/community.asp

Palo Alto Fire Department
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Explorer Scouts (ages 14-20)
www.cityofpaloalto.org/
Contact Firefighter Shane Yarbrough: 650.329.2649 or
Palo Alto Office of Emergency Services (OES): 650.617.3197

San Jose Fire Department
Explorer Program (ages 14-20) Recruitments take place during October each year www.sjfdexplorerpost888.org

Santa Clara (City) Fire Department
Volunteer/Reserve Firefighter Program (ages 18 and up)
santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=340

Santa Clara County Fire Department
Volunteer Firefighter Program (ages 18 and up)
* County Fire serves the communities of Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill and Saratoga
Volunteer page (http://www.sccfd.org/volunteer.html)

Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety
Explorer Program (ages 14-20)
sunnyvale.ca.gov/Departments/PublicSafety/GetInvolved/ExplorerPost417.aspx
Contact Community Services Officer Mariana Alvarez: 408.730.7117

Fire Service Career Information Sheet

To assist you in becoming competitive as an entry level firefighter candidate, and to help you build upon skills you already possess, this Fire Service Information sheet includes information on local and national institutions and organization that offer education and training programs designed to help entry level job seekers prepare themselves to meet their fire service career goals.

Fire Service Career Information Sheet [pdf, 120k].

Santa Clara County Fire Department Information Sheet

For information about Santa Clara County Fire Department, Firefighter/Engineer Trainee and Firefighter/Engineer job description and duties, Compensation and Benefits and a List of Fire Department Facilities, see the Employment Opportunities "About the Department" form.

"So You Want to Become a Firefighter: 5 guidelines to assist you in becoming a firefighter"

"So You Want to Become a Firefighter" [pdf; 104k]