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
Town Approves Tax Exemption for Volunteer Firefighters, EMT’s
Volunteer firefighters and EMT workers will now benefit from a property tax exemption thanks to a resolution passed by the Dryden Town Board on Feb. 16.
The 10 percent exemption will only be granted to volunteer firefighters and EMT workers that are enrolled members who have been “certified by the authority having jurisdiction for the incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department, or voluntary ambulance service as an enrolled member of such incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department, or voluntary ambulance,” according to the resolution.
Any certified volunteer that has accumulated more than 20 years of service will be considered a “life member,” and so the tax exemption will continue throughout the entirety of their life so long as the property serves as their primary residence.
Volunteer shortage leading to struggling fire departments nationwide
SLOCOMB, Ala. (WTVY) – Imagine calling the fire department, and nobody answers the phone, leaving your home to be caught in a blaze.
While many fire departments are currently active, it is mainly because people are willing to volunteer their time.
According to the United States Fire Administration, 78% of fire departments in the state of Alabama are completely volunteer-based.
In Slocomb, there are a few paid positions at the fire station, but most are serving for free.
Gisele Barreto Fetterman, Wife of Sen. John Fetterman, Spotted Fighting Apartment Fire in East Pittsburgh
Gisele Barreto Fetterman, whose husband is freshman Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, stepped in to fight a dangerous blaze in East Pittsburgh.
Gisele was seen with her fellow firefighters at the scene of the three-alarm fire early Tuesday. Wearing her full gear, Gisele walked through the area while on the phone in footage captured by Pittsburgh Action News.
The former second lady of Pennsylvania joined the Rivers Edge 113 crew in December. She announced the move on Facebook in mid-December, sharing a snap of her rocking her gear and standing in front of a fire truck.
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
