Welcome To
California
Volunteer
Firefighters
California Volunteer Firefighters
In fall of 2021 California State Firefighters’ Association (CSFA) was awarded a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant in the amount of $2,090,300.00 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These grant funds will be spent over the next four years to assist the over 500 California fire departments that use volunteer firefighters in their mission to protect lives and property.
Specifically, these grant funds will be used to provide reimbursements for NFPA 1582 physicals, reimbursement for structural PPE, tuition assistance for Firefighter I academies, free leadership, behavioral health and diversity training (travel and meals) and marketing materials, free live fire training and free memberships in CSFA.
As part of our mission as California’s oldest statewide trade association we have developed this website as a “one stop shop” to support California’s volunteer fire service.
Please check back often as we add more services and resources to this site.
Latest
News & Articles
Firefighter Deaths From 9/11 Illnesses Nearly Equal Number Killed In Attack
The New York City Fire Department has added 43 new names to its memorial wall, bringing to 341 the number of FDNY veterans who died from Ground Zero-related ailments. On Sept. 11, 2001, 343 FDNY members were killed. In related news, two more victims of the terrorist attacks have been identified, the first since 2021.
Firefighters fear the toxic chemicals in their gear could be contributing to cancer cases
Boston firefighter Daniel Ranahan had heard about colleagues getting cancer but he was stunned when doctors discovered a tumor in his chest.
Dodd: California fire insurer rescue deal collapses for the year
Alast-minute push for a legislative deal to make it easier for more California homeowners to get insured is on the brink of collapse in the final days of the state’s lawmaking session.
State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, who sits on the Senate Insurance Committee and whose district has been hit hard by recent wildfires, said Thursday afternoon that negotiations to address the state’s insurance crisis had “broken down.” He said closed-door talks were led by California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration and legislative staff.
Volunteer Now
Your Community Needs YOU
%
Volunteer Firefighters
Of the fire departments registered with the National Fire Service Department Census, 87% of them are all volunteer or have some volunteers.
California Volunteer Fire Departments
In California 242 fire departments are 100% volunteer; 221 are mostly volunteer (1 to 50% paid) and 138 are mostly paid, but with a few volunteer/paid call). (USFA – National Fire Department Registry)
Firefighters Nationwide
1,140,750 firefighters protected the United States in 2013. 354,600 (31%) were career firefighters and 786,150 (69%) were volunteer firefighters. (NFPA)
CSFA
Training & Events
CSFA Volunteer Firefighter Training
Volunteer Training
CSFA is actively working with SAFER grant funding to enhance the recruiting and retention efforts for the California fire service.
In the Fall of 2018 CSFA was awarded their 5th statewide SAFER grant. This 4-year grant award will provide live fire training courses and Recruitment and Retention Workshops to volunteer firefighters throughout California. There is no cost for these courses. Departments will need to enroll their volunteers and get them to and from the event.
Live Fire Training
Sixteen (four per year) 2-day live fire training courses geared towards the specifications for Fire Control 3 certification will take place across California. Burn buildings and trailers will be rented and facilitated by experienced instructors in locations that will provide convenience for participation.
The only equipment needed for these training events is individual PPE and SCBA gear. All apparatus, water, air re-fill station, and required apparatus will be coordinated by CSFA and the host departments. If there is more than 1 volunteer attending from your department we request that you bring qualified personnel to act as your trainer inside the live fire trailer; it is not the duty of the live fire trailer operators to guide you through the training.
Recruitment and Retention Workshops will be held across the state and will be FREE to participants including travel and per diem. The R&R Workshops will cover management skills including collecting and reviewing volunteer applications, improving interviewing techniques, evaluating prospects, describing expectations, and motivating the new volunteer firefighter. Retention techniques by anticipating retention challenges, creating a cohesive environment, and rewarding performance with incentives. The program will also help participants with implementing a local volunteer recruiting campaign.
Fire service and community leaders are encouraged to attend this R&R Workshop. There is NO COST to attend the workshop; travel, 2 nights lodging, and per diem for attendees will be reimbursed upon completion of the workshop. The R&R workshop is designed to facilitate open discussion about the local Volunteer Firefighter retention and recruitment issues.
CSFA
Upcoming CSFA SAFER Training
LEADERSHIP TRAINING: McCloud, (Siskiyou County)
LEADERSHIP TRAINING: McCloud, (Siskiyou County)
GREAT LEADERSHIP IS THE KEY TO RETAINING GREAT PEOPLE The best way to strengthen your volunteer fire department is through excellent leadership! Learn the skills to help, recruit and retain the best people in your community. The highly interactive course will explore th...
Fire Control 3: Structural Firefighting
Fire Control 3: Structural Firefighting
The Fire Control 3: Structural Firefighting course provides the student the opportunity for learning the basics of fire dynamics, chemistry and physics, structural fire behavior, structural fire attack tactics, and providing the knowledge and the opportunity for demonst...
Forcible Entry Class
Forcible Entry Class
Our Forcible Entry Class is designed to build a solid foundation in mastering fireground forcible entry skills using the tried and true tools of the trade. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the principles of mechanical advantage and progress capture, while ut...
LEADERSHIP TRAINING: Patterson (Stanislaus County)
LEADERSHIP TRAINING: Patterson (Stanislaus County)
GREAT LEADERSHIP IS THE KEY TO RETAINING GREAT PEOPLE The best way to strengthen your volunteer fire department is through excellent leadership! Learn the skills to help, recruit and retain the best people in your community. The highly interactive course will explore th...
U.S. Fire Service Administration
FEDERAL GRANTS FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
California Fire Safe Council
CALIFORNA FIRE PREVENTION GRANTS FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Cause IQ
PRIVATE AND NON PROFIT GRANTS FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
National Volunteer Fire Council
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL GRANTS AND PROGRAMS
Learn More About SAFER Grants Resources
