Great Career - Battalion Chief CAL Fire Employee Review

5.0
Oct 19, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Opportunities for promotion and various locations from the Mexican Border to Oregon. Great educational and leadership opportunties

Cons

Often subjected to extremely long hours during fire season and major emergencies. Pay is lower than other departments but balanced by benefit packages

Explore other reviews about CAL Fire

5.0
Oct 27, 2025
Anonymous temporary employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great environment, opportunities for real-world experience

Cons

No cons come to mind

3.0
Apr 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

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

Cons

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.

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