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Volunteer Reserve Firefighter Program

The Volunteer Reserve Firefighter Program provides emergency medical services to the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. San Diego County Fire Volunteer Reserve Firefighters assist with emergency medical services and firefighting throughout the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. Volunteer Reserve Firefighters will have the opportunity to serve shifts at many of the County Fire Stations within the San Diego County Fire Protection District.

Those interested in the Restricted 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. Restricted Reserves will work at least two (2) 12-hour day shifts per month and will assist with medical aids, traffic collisions, structural fire protection, vegetation fire response, fire engine support functions, and overhaul operations. 

Those interested in the Full Volunteer Reserve Firefighter position with County Fire must currently meet all of the minimum qualifications AND program requirements at the time of application submission. Full Reserves will work three (3) 24-hour shifts, and perform all duties, delivering the same life-saving services as career personnel at fire stations and on emergency calls. 

Please look over the following minimum qualifications and selection process. If you do not have all the requirements, do not apply at this time. Email County Fire (sdcfa@sdcounty.ca.gov) to discuss what requirements you need and how you can obtain them. County Fire will only accept full and complete applications. Any incomplete applications will be rejected.

Please be aware that the process to join the Volunteer Reserve Program takes about 2 to 3 months to complete.

Applicants are required to attach all required documents in PDF format to be considered. 

Once the application cycle is close, you will not be able to upload your application. Please check back for new application dates. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

  1. At least 18 years of age
  2. High school diploma or GED
  3. California Driver's license, which must be maintained throughout the Program
  4. Auto insurance, which must be maintained throughout the Program
  5. American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support CPR Card, which must be valid at least 90 days after the  Administrative Orientation
  6. 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
  7. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification or Paramedic Accreditation by 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
  8. 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 160 Wildland Fire Control
  9. Incident Command System Certification
    • 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
  10. Defensive Driving Certification 
    • Defensive Driver Training (DDT) - Online
If you do not meet all the qualifications and would like to know how, please visit our Requirements Page.
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
  • Fire Protection Organization & Structure Fire Training Certification
    • California State Fire Marshal Firefighter 1 Certification
  • Rescue Awareness Training and Certification
    • 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
  • Hazardous Materials Training and Certification
    • San Diego Miramar College Fire Technology & Emergency Medical Technician: Course FIPT 323B Hazardous Materials/WMD Operations; OR
    • Southwestern College Fire Science Program: Course FS 163 HazMat Emergency Response First Responder Operational; OR
    • EMSTA College: Course Hazmat FRO – First Responder Operations Training; OR
    • California Specialized Training Institute: Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations

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