How hard is it to become a fire fighter in California?

Due to the competitive nature of the job, consider taking courses or earning a degree or certificate related to becoming a firefighter. Some departments may require or prefer candidates who have some formal education connected to being a firefighter. Students who earn a certificate typically get either a Certificate of Completion of California's Firefighter 1 or a certificate confirming they've finished training at a California State Fire Marshal's Accredited Regional Fire Academy.

You'll also want to complete the firefighter candidate assessment (FCA). Most fire departments in California require candidates to take this standardized exam before applying for jobs. The FCA has a multimedia portion where candidates answer questions related to video and audio cues asked by a computer.

Try to gain work experience through a volunteer firefighter program. There are many opportunities during wildfire events for someone with an EMT certificate to gain experience putting out fires.

After taking the FCA and gaining some experience be prepared to undergo an intense interview process if selected as a candidate. Most fire departments, for example, ask job candidates to undergo one or more interviews. You might have this interview conducted by a panel, the fire chief, or another high-ranking professional within the fire department. In some regions, you may also have to complete an oral or written exam in addition to or instead of a series of interviews.

Beyond the books, there are also a lot of physical demands and requirements. You must finish a physical fitness exam, such as the Biddle or Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). These physical exams may assess your ability to perform tasks such as climbing stairs, carrying heavy equipment while moving quickly, and navigating narrow spaces.

You must also be able to pass a background check, medical exam, drug test, and psychological assessment. Finally, after finishing all your additional evaluations, complete the training program offered by your new employer. Most fire departments have their newly hired firefighters undergo training at an internal fire academy. These fire academy programs usually last between 10 to 24 weeks.