Great Dept if you dont mind the schedule - Firefighter I CAL Fire Employee Review

Great environment, opportunities for real-world experience

No cons come to mind

Good benefits. Flexible work location, can transfer most anywhere in the state. Low barrier to entry.

The department is moving towards making everyone into a fuels reduction crew. Whereas ordinarily we would spend our time training, exercising, and maintaining our fire station and equipment we now work all day in menial labor. The assumption that our 24 hour shift consists of a 10 hour duty day and 14 hours of standby at the fire station seems to be gone now. Instead we are committed to fuels reduction work for our 10 hours and expected to train, exercise, and finish administrative duties in the evening or at night.