Required Training and Certification

For many reasons including state and federal regulations, national standards, risk management and program goals, the minimum training and certification requirements for the Volunteer Reserve Firefighter position are substantial. Those interested in the volunteer reserve firefighter position with County Fire must currently meet all of the minimum qualifications detailed below at the time of application submission. All Program Requirements must be obtained within 18 months of being in the Program. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

All minimum qualifications must be met and valid at the time of application

• At least 18 years of age

• High school diploma or GED

• California Class C Driver License, which must be maintained throughout the Program
  
  
• Auto insurance, which must be maintained throughout the Program
  
  
• American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support CPR Card, which must be valid at least 90 days after the Administrative Orientation
  
  
• One of the following Physical Abilities Test (PAT), which must be valid within one (1) year of the Administrative Orientation:
  • Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) Certification; OR
  • Biddle Certification; OR
  • North County Regional Physical Abilities Test (NCRPAT) Certification
     
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification or Paramedic Accreditation by the County of San Diego Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
  • County of San Diego Emergency Medical Services (EMS) EMT Certification; OR
  • County of San Diego EMS Paramedic Accreditation
     
• Wildland Training and Certification
  • ALL National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Courses below:
    • NWCG S-130: Firefighter Training (online)
    • NWCG S-190: Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (online)
    • NWCG L-180: Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (online); OR
  • CAL FIRE/CDF Basic Wildland Firefighter Academy (BWFA); OR
  • San Diego Miramar College Fire Technology & Emergency Medical Technician: Course FIPT 150W Wildland Firefighter Safety and Survival (80 hours); OR
  • Southwestern College Fire Science Program: Course FS 144 Wildland Firefighting Academy
     
• Incident Command System Certification
  Each of these certifications can be obtained by completing free online training courses.
  • IS-100.B: Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100; AND
  • IS-200.B: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents; AND
  • IS-700.A: National Incident Management System (NIMS) – An Introduction; AND
  • IS-800.B: National Response Framework – An Introduction
     
• Defensive Driving Certification
  The certificate can be earned by completing a free online training course provided by the State of California, Department of General Services and Office of Risk and Insurance Management.
  • Defensive Driver Training (DDT) - Online

CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE INTO PROGRAM

• Applicants must successfully pass a background and medical screening

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

All certifications listed below must be obtained within 18 months in the Program

• Rescue Awareness Training and Certification  
  All courses must follow the curriculums prescribed and approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
  • Confined Space Rescue Awareness (7 hours); OR
  • Confined Space Rescue Technician (40 hours); OR
  • San Diego Miramar College Fire Technology & Emergency Medical Technician: Course FIPT 322B Confined Space Awareness (8 hours); OR
  • Southwestern College Emergency Medical Technician: Course FS 161 Confined Space Awareness
    
    
• Fire Protection Organization and Structure Fire Training and Certification
  
  • California State Fire Marshal Firefighter 1 certification
     
• Hazardous Materials Training and Certification
  The certifying course is 16 hours in duration and maintaining the certification requires an annual 8-hour refresher. The certification must meet the standards established by the California Specialized Training Institute.
  • San Diego Miramar College Fire Technology & Emergency Medical Technician: Course FIPT 323B Hazardous Materials/WMD Operations; OR
  • Southwestern College Fire Science Program: Course FS 110 Hazardous Materials; OR
  • EMSTA College: Course Hazmat FRO – First Responder Operations Training; OR
  • California Specialized Training Institute: Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations