southern california

[davidxxx]

im a firefighter in florida and looking to move back to cali where i am from, is there any websites for available jobs i may be able to look at, i cant find any that focus mainly on california, any help would be appreciated.

[ButlerJr]

davidxxx, the City of San Diego's Fire-Rescue Department has just opened the filing period for the 71st Academy. I don't know what your background is and if you'd need to apply for the Academy or see about applying directly for the department itself. I'd take a look at this link: https://apps.sandiego.gov/pjaol/currjob/index.jsp . I can tell you that if you want to apply for the Academy, you'll need to request an application be mailed to you if you're still out of the area right now. The filing deadline is January 16, 2008.

Once submitted, if your application is approved you'll be given an appointment for the written exam, which will take place sometime in spring of 2008; if you place in the top tier, you'll be invited to interview, which will be something like 2 months after the test; if you pass that phase, I believe you'll need to take the Physical Agility Test; and then, finally, if you're extended a conditional offer of employment (which is entrance into the Academy), you'll be required to submit to a background investigation. I believe once you pass the background investigation, you're in the Academy. (I didn't get past the interview my first time around, and I won't know until February if I'll go on to the PAT this time, so I'm going by general understanding and word of mouth on those subsequent stages.)

The Academy is about 14-16 weeks, M-F, 0800-1700, and is salaried.

Other paid departments in San Diego County that you can look into (and this list is by no means exhaustive) are:

El Cajon Fire (one of the toughest departments in the county) - http://www.ci.el-cajon.ca.us/dept/fire.html
Santee Fire - http://www.ci.santee.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=31
La Mesa Fire - http://www.ci.la-mesa.ca.us/index.asp?nid=752
National City Fire - http://www.ci.national-city.ca.us/departments/fire/fire.htm
Chula Vista Fire - http://www.chulavistaca.gov/City_Services/Public_Safety/Fire_Department/Default.asp
Coronado Fire - http://www.coronado.ca.us/ContentPage.asp?ContentID=151
Carlsbad Fire - http://www.carlsbadca.gov/fire/index.html
Oceanside Fire - http://www.osidefire.com/portal/
Vista Fire - http://www.ci.vista.ca.us/fire/
San Marcos Fire - http://www.ci.san-marcos.ca.us/departments.asp?id=1653
Poway Fire - http://www.ci.poway.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=51
Barona Fire - http://www.baronafire.com/
North County Fire - http://www.ncfireprotectiondistrict.o rg/
Sycuan Gold Eagle Hotshots - http://www.gehotshots.org/


You can also look into CalFire (formerly CDF - California Department of Forestry); many community or municipal departments out here are contracted with CalFire, so that the community provides the locations, but the departments are staffed by CalFire firefighters. Ramona Fire Department is one example.

If you're looking at moving to Orange or Los Angeles Counties, there are more departments up there than I can count up to; try a Google search on those. LA County, LA City, and Orange County Fire Authority are the most popular, from what I understand. I'm completely unfamiliar with Riverside or Imperial Counties, or anything north of LA.

Hope this information helps you!

[davidxxx]

thaks alot you gave me more thank enough information, im actually considering riverside or orange county first that is where my family lives, and possibly LA just because they are hireing at the moment, i am a firefighter in florida and have my national certs so i dont believe i would need to go back to the academy, but i will look into all the info you provided

thank you
david

[RFD1067]

The Riverside city fire dept. will be accepting applications Jan 14th 2008 through jan 25th 2008. The written exam is scheduled for feb. 14th.
A California state certified fire academy is required or 1 year full time paid firefighter experience with a municipal fire dept. may substitute for the state certified fire academy.

Salary $4547-$6089 monthly.
Paramedics receive a 15% pay differential per month.

[davidxxx]

The Riverside city fire dept. will be accepting applications Jan 14th 2008 through jan 25th 2008. The written exam is scheduled for feb. 14th.
A California state certified fire academy is required or 1 year full time paid firefighter experience with a municipal fire dept. may substitute for the state certified fire academy.

Salary $4547-$6089 monthly.
Paramedics receive a 15% pay differential per month.


im actually from riverside county, i have 2 years full time paid experience in florida, and i am national certified in firefighter 1 and 2, my EMT is state of Florida, will me EMt be a problem with city of riverside?

[DRascon]

David,

Riverside County, on a very large scale save for a few cities (Murrieta, Corona/Norco, Riverside City, Hemet) is protected by Cal Fire. They're hurting for Medics right now, so if you are one, they'd most likely scoop you up quick. The pay isn't the best but the opportunity for overtime and promotions is excellent.
As stated above, the City of Riverside will be accepting apps soon, and Murrieta Fire is accepting apps on a continual basis.
If you aren't against a little bit of a commute, you could look into some smaller departments to the south in San Diego County like North County Fire or to the West in Chino Hills or Ontario. All are pretty respectable departments. Good luck!