Has anyone in Calfire transferred from a Norcal Station down to Riverside County, or anywhere in Socal ? How did you go about doing it? how often did you politic, if at all? Thank you in advance!

What’s your life like in the FFII FFA? Is it true that it’s only four weeks? It can be any training center, but preferably your experience in Ione. When does academy start/end daily? What did you do in your down time if you stayed there? What were the living quarters life?

I keep hearing about increases in pay and movement to a 56 hour work week. But I’m curious what you all have heard.

So I am reading through 14 CCR Section 1298 et seq., and trying to find an updated version of the regs that pertain to the new Zone 0. I can’t seem to find the amended regs, so that’s another side issue.

My main question, though, is about Zone 1 requirements. It looks like, as regards foliage, the actual reg only makes mention of, “keep[ing] all branches a minimum of ten feet (10 ft.) away from chimney and stovepipe outlets.”

It also provides that, “[t]he Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's "Property Inspection Guide… provides additional guidance on vegetation treatment within Zone 1 and Zone 2, but is not mandatory and is not intended as a substitute for these regulations.”

My question is about the rule in the CalFIRE guidance that tree canopies in Zone 1 be at least 10 feet apart. Because I would like to plant a row of dwarf fruit trees along the side of my house, parallel to the house, about 20 feet away from the house itself. I want to space them 10 feet apart so I can fit 5 instead of 2. It’s a 50’ length, and the trees have 8-10 ft wide canopies when mature, which means I’d need to space them 20’ apart to follow the guidance.

So per the actual reg it looks like 10’ spacing would be fine. But per the guidance, they would be too close together. Am I reading that right, that that particular guidance about the canopies is not mandatory?

Accepted an FF2 position, will be moving on from a nearby hand crew. Any information would be appreciated.

Looking to hear from some of the newer engineers/FAEs who came into CAL FIRE with little to no engine experience.

How was the transition for you guys? Did you feel like you were given enough time/training to get comfortable with the engine and pump panel, or was it more of a learn-as-you-go situation?

How long did it take before you felt like you actually knew what you were doing? And what were some things you wish you had known or studied before starting?

Also curious how captains and senior engineers generally treated you when you were still learning. Was there a pretty good training/support system, or
did you have to figure a lot of it out yourself?

I’m mainly looking for honest experiences from people who were in a similar position coming in. Good or bad, what did the process look like for you and how are you doing now?

I start my first day tomorrow on the Hand-Crew and Im making a packing list. Is there anything outside of the obvious that you would recommend to a new guy?

Have an in person interview scheduled. What is the realistic time frame from there to get an offer and start date? Haven't done backgrounds yet.

I just applied to a FFII position and the only thing I’m missing is my CPAT which I’ve passed the physical before but need to study for the written. I’ve been using Pocket Prep to study for the exam, but now there’s the FFII exam on CalCareers.

Does anyone know if Pocket Prep’s FFII 1000 questions will help me enough to pass both the CPAT written and CalCareers exam?

If not, it’s okay, I’ll come back after studying and taking the exam to communicate my experience.

Also, I’m taking on my L180, S190, and a few others and hoping it’ll also aid me in the exams.

Are you ready?

Members should ask: if this organization truly belongs to the members, are our governance structure, financial oversight, disciplinary procedures, elections, meetings, and leadership decisions designed first and foremost to protect the membership -- or the power of those currently holding office?

heard calls started - can anyone verify ?

How is it? And the location where is at?

Took the FAE exam, scored an 85, does that basically eliminate me from the job? What are the odds I still get an offer. (Current cal fire employee) Thought I did much better than 85 but it’s alright.

It’s been over 3 months since I got an FAE offer. I spoke to the training captain and he told me they’re just waiting for region to put me through. What’s going on and should I be worried ?

I’ve been told by people for that past year that riverside will have a there own handcrew soon besides the CCC Los Pinos crew. I haven’t heard any official announcement on when it will happen but I’m really interested to know any details and or opinions from any of you guys.

Don’t be this f’n idiot

I’m so curious how cal fire picks their candidate’s and does anybody know how? I just applied for firefighter paramedic 2. My background is I’ve been working as a 911 medic for 3 years, 2 college degrees, fire science classes. My work locations I chose were the Riverside unit, San Diego unit, and San Luis Obispo unit.

I'm about 3 months from finishing medic school and putting in my FF2/PM application. I live in Norcal, and am planning on putting in for all the units up here. I've heard a lot of guys getting picked up in the southern units, but do the Northern pick up a decent amount of guys too?

For background, I'm not structure qualified, I have a good amount of box experience, Basic 40 wildland, current intern at a small municipal dept for a year.

Yes I know questions like this are asked all the time...

also i apologize for the length of this post.

3 weeks ago I was camping south of Big Sur and brush fire started half a mile from our camp site. The crews from Fort Hunter Ligget, Cal Fire, USFS, and whoever else showed up were great. I have always wanted to be a pilot and I am super into military and civilian aviation so I knew that we may be able to get a look at 47s or 60s doing some water drops. When I saw Firehawk 610 swoop over me, bank, and land 200 feet from em I started crying a little. It genuinely was so incredible that I got emotional. It is the coolest job in the world and I could think of nothing better to do. They dropped their handcrew off and did three water drops. I waved on the last one and I got the siren as a return. If you piloted 610 on August 8th thank you so much you are such an inspiration.

Anyways back to the question. I already wanted to fly for calfire before that. But having that emotional experience told me its what I need to do. I love this state and I want to contribute to conserving it. I know that the path to fly firehawks is long and rigorous. The basic requirements are 2000 hours PIC which is a whole career in itself.

I am going to get those hours regardless. I just need to figure out a path. I want to hear about the paths of some Firehawk pilots so maybe they can help guide me.

A little about myself. I am 23, in a good physical and mental state. I have a BS in physics and am getting a masters in quantum science and tech from UCLA starting in sept. The program is a year long then I hope to move to San Jose area to work. I need to get a good job to pay off my debts and to start working towards a helicopter license.

Here is the juice of the question: how can I get those 2000 hours. There are generally two paths... commercial flying for crop dusting, power lines, etc OR military. Out of the two I would prefer not having to serve in the military. I know that the armed forces are suppose to be apolitical, and I deeply respect that, however I have some quarrels with US foreign policy at the moment. I found out about the 129th rescue wing which is an Air Guard unit that flies SAR missions out of Moffett which is really cool and may be more aligned with my personal preferences while allowing me to keep a job in tech. The thing is though that the commitment is 12 years! yikes thats a big decision.

I dont know let me know what you guys think and feel free to be as critical as youd like. Thanks

Apparently calls are still going out for the 2026 year. Who’s gotten a late call?

Anyone have any issues with the daca delays that are going on?

My unit lost a few guys during the season so far, does calfire or the union not help the guys out by holding their job or letting them take a leave of absence?

So far we lost 2 FAEs and 1 Captain, word is they separated them without any options. The captain was around for a while too, I’m just surprised that the rumor is that they let them go. Wondering if anyone had any recommendations on what to do or if there are options

How many time does a write up in CalFire lead to termination for poor job performance for minor issues?