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The Daily Insight

How many Cal Fire firefighters are there

Author

Mia Lopez

Updated on April 02, 2026

The heart of CAL FIRE’s emergency response and resource protection capability is a force of over 6,100 full-time fire professionals, foresters, and administrative employ- ees; 2,600 seasonal firefighters; 2,750 local government volunteer firefighters; 600 Volunteers In Prevention; and 3,500 inmates, wards and …

Is Cal Fire the largest fire department?

CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the third largest fire department in the United States. Our firefighters protect 33 million acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA).

How much do Cal Fire seasonal firefighters make?

CAL Fire Salary FAQs How much does CAL Fire pay per year? The average CAL Fire salary ranges from approximately $75,335 per year for a Firefighter to $85,683 per year for a Firefighter/Paramedic.

How many forest firefighters are there in California?

Operational areaEmployees6,100 Permanent employees2,600 Seasonal employees 3,500 Inmates, Wards, Conservation Corps Members 600 Volunteers In Prevention (VIPs)Annual budget$2.3 billion (2018-2019)StaffingCareerFire chiefThom Porter

How many stations does CAL FIRE have?

Facilities Throughout the State The Department is divided into two regions with 21 administrative units statewide. Within these units, CAL FIRE operates 812 fire stations (237 state and 575 local government).

How many trucks does CAL FIRE have?

The current fleet consists of over 2,800 vehicles which includes 383 front line fire engines in 12 different models, 237 crew buses and 58 bulldozers.

Is CAL FIRE a good job?

Working for CalFire is a safe and rewarding career. CalFire offers plenty of opportunity for advancement. The training is excellent and the equipment is always top of the line.

How many units does CAL FIRE have?

CAL FIRE protects over 31 million acres of California wildlands with 20 regional firefighting units, 473 fire stations, over 4,000 full-time Firefighters & employs thousands of seasonal firefighters.

Who is the chief of CAL FIRE?

Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Porter chief of Cal Fire in January 2019, not long after the Camp Fire devastated the town of Paradise and killed over 80 people.

How long is Cal Fire Academy?

This rigorous 219 hours of training is specifically for those seeking a seasonal firefighter job with CAL FIRE.

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Can you work for CAl Fire with a felony?

While there is no state or federal law saying that felons can never be firefighters, many felony convictions will prevent you from becoming a firefighter.

How much do Cal Fire wildland firefighters make?

The average salary for a wildland firefighter is $21.62 per hour in California.

Is Cal Fire law enforcement?

CAL FIRE is statutorily responsible to enforce forest and fire laws and Forest Practice Regulations within all areas of the state, where they apply pursuant to Public Resources Code (PRC), Section 714.

What is the starting pay for Cal Fire?

CAL Fire Salary FAQs The salary trajectory of a Firefighter ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $46,126 per year and goes up to $67,593 per year for the highest level of seniority.

What are the largest fire departments in the US?

RankDepartmentAppointed Personnel1Houston Fire Department38512Dallas Fire-Rescue Department20023San Antonio Fire Department18004Austin Fire Department1215

How long does it take to work for Cal Fire?

Employment typically begins in the spring and lasts an average of six months. As a member of an engine crew, a Fire Fighter I fights fires using a variety of firefighting equipment, repairs equipment, and responds to other emergency situations; performs heavy physical work and assists others with general housekeeping.

Is it hard to work for Cal Fire?

It can be demanding at times but rewarding for the most part. I like that they will promote within and notice you when you are a good worker. You have the opportunity to work at incidents (fire) which can be a lot of overtime. It can be difficult to maintain some sort of work life balance.

Do you need EMT for Cal Fire?

Individuals are encouraged to get an EMT certificate in order to be competitive in the hiring process for most fire suppression classifications.

How many bulldozers does Cal Fire have?

CAL FIRE has 61 dozers avail- able statewide including 26 D6Cs, 3 D5H models, 8 D6MXLs, 4 D4H models, 3 John Deere 750Bs, 1 D7F, 1 D6H, 1 John Deere 850B, 1 D5HSL model, 8 D4HXL, 1 D6HXL, and 4 D6NXL models. While the specifications for each dozer type vary, they all include enclosed cabs for operator safety.

How many types of fire trucks are there?

9 Different Types of Fire Trucks.

How much does a Cal fire unit chief make?

The average salary for a fire chief is $140,342 per year in California.

How do I contact Cal fire?

Contact Information Office hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. For inquiries during these hours contact us at (916) 653-5123. If you are a member of the media, and need information or comment, you can call (916) 651- FIRE (3473).

Who is Ken Pimlott?

KEN PIMLOTT (’89, Forest Resource Management) has been appointed director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) by Gov. Jerry Brown. Pimlott follows another Humboldt State University graduate as head of the department.

Why did CDF change to Cal Fire?

1, the department changed its name to better reflect its many functions, as well as to provide a simpler way to refer to the department, according to Fire Prevention Specialist Chris Morgan. “The other name was so unwieldy, you almost had to pause for breath before getting to the ‘Fire Protection’ part,” he said.

How old is Cal Fire?

From the Air Program and Mobile Equipment, to the Conservation Camp Program and Resource Management, it has been a long and ever evolving history. Many lives and events have shaped the history of CAL FIRE since 1905.

How many firefighters are in the Chicago Fire Department?

The Bureau of Operations is composed of over 4,500 Uniformed Firefighters and Paramedics and is commanded by a Deputy Fire Commissioner.

How much does it cost to go to Cal Fire Academy?

About CAL FIRE Academy The cost to attend CAL FIRE Academy is $150.

What is the age limit to be a firefighter in California?

AGE: You must be at least 18 years old to apply (no maximum age). EDUCATION: Graduation from high school OR passage of the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) or General Education Development (GED) examination.

How do I join the Cal Fire Academy?

  1. Recruit candidates submit in an Application for the Basic Firefighter I Academy.
  2. Successful candidates will be given instructions to participate in the Testing Phase, which includes the following: …
  3. Applicants will be notified of their application status and standing in the Academy by June 4th, 2021.

What benefits do wildland firefighters get?

  • Food provided.
  • 401(k)
  • Parental leave.
  • Health insurance.
  • Paid time off.
  • Vision insurance.
  • Dental insurance.

Are hotshots federal employees?

However, the firefighters best equipped to tackle large infernos across rugged terrain are quitting. They’re called “hotshots” and are employed by the federal government.