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
The Firefighters Answering Israel’s Emergency Call From 7,500 Miles Away
Spending an afternoon with American volunteers putting out fires and chasing rockets in central Israel. ‘This isn’t like anything I’ve experienced in the United States,’ says one Californian firefighter currently stationed in Ramle
Controlled burns in California could reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire by 60 percent
Deploying low-intensity burns could reduce the initial risk of catastrophic wildfire by more than 60 percent, while helping protect the area for at least six years, a new study has found.
To be effective, wildland fuel treatments need to occur in an ongoing, period manner, as opposed to a one-time intervention, according to the study, published Friday in the journal Science Advances. While previous work has demonstrated that California needs either prescribed burns or vegetation thinning on about 20 percent of the state’s lands, researchers had yet to quantify the precise value of such activity.
Oneida County passes tax exemption law for volunteer firefighters, EMS
The Oneida County Board of Legislators has passed a local law that updates the county’s property tax exemption for active volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers as volunteer fire and ambulance companies struggle to attract new members and retain existing ones.
The law provides a partial county property tax exemption, 10 percent of the assessed property value, to active volunteer firefighters and active volunteer ambulance workers living in Oneida County with at least two years of service.
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.
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
