Recruitment Locations

After doing some extensive research, the Women's Commission determined the following locations were excellent places to recruit qualified women. Typically, women leaving the military or who are active, enjoy the outdoors and participate in high school and college sports are great candidates for a career in the fire service. The following are resources to help your department access these individuals. 

Military Personnel

Points to Consider When Recruiting from the Military

  • Be prepared to submit information to receive a clearance to gain access to some installations.
  • The events are 3 – 4 hours in length. The working shift may not be able to participate, (consider setting up in parking lot for 1 hour to accommodate late arrivals). Be aware of “high alert” days. Confirm the event the day prior, since high alert might be activated.
  • Space is limited, tabletop displays are best. Make sure you have everything: (i.e., extension cords, tape, tablecloths, scissors, projector, VCR, laptop, carryall/cart/handcart, etc.)
  • Have enough materials on hand so that any extra literature can be used in the Career or Placement Centers.
  • Most centers will allow permanent displays -- however, space is limited. Leave contact information. If additional literature is needed, it can also be sent via mail.
  • For “specialty” recruiting, notify the Center Advisor and they can arrange for special presentations for specific groups: females, heavy equipment operators, drivers, etc.
  • Anticipate questions and be prepared for all phases of the testing and selection process. If you can’t answer all the questions, have the name and number of someone who is accessible with the answer --- asap.
  • When collecting candidate information, get a third party as an additional contact point. That way, if the candidate is activated or deployed you still have a contact person.
  • Most career days are 1 year, 6 months, and 3 months prior to the candidates’ time of separation. Help them plan on returning for the written exam and oral interview.

Note: The Government has been very receptive to the fire service recruiting its members. For example, Los Angeles City Fire Department has had candidates released from service 3 months prior to their estimated time of separation date, because the member had secured a spot in the fire academy.

Click here for a list of Military Transition Offices.

Good luck in your military recruitment efforts! 

California State Universities

  • CSU is a leader in high-quality, accessible, student-focused higher education.
  • Fire Departments from across the state have long been accessing the CSU system for recruiting purposes.
  • Usually, contacting the career center on campuses located near their respective fire departments allows for fire department recruitment at local events.
  • Below is a list to be used as a resource for CSU campuses, direct phone lines, and career centers.
  • Each campus is available on the web, and almost all list career days and workshops for fire departments and other employers to attend.

Click here for CSU contacts

Click here for CSU website 

High School Outreach

1. First – visit the California Department of Education website
2. Click on the Data & Statistics header
3. Click on Dataquest – this takes you to the CDE district list
4. Under “Level” type in “School”
5. Under “Subject” click on “Subject Area Courses”
6. On next Webpage under (2) type in “Vocational”
7. Select “Course Enrollment by Schools”
8. Check “Teaching Assignments” – “Vocational Education”
9. Work through each District this way by accessing information for each school you are interested in visiting
10. At the District Office – ask them to identify these personnel:

  • Career Technical Education (CTE) Program Director - The CTE Program Director provides you with a list of the CTE Coordinators and CTE teachers at each middle and high school
  • Career Guidance (CG) Program Director - The CG Director provides you with a list of the CG Coordinators and CG Counselors at each middle and high school. Identify each school’s career guidance calendar for the school year identify activities you can participate in to showcase your program
  • Athletics Program Director - The Athletics Program Directors can collaborate with you to identify possible candidates for your program
  • Student Services (SS) Program Director - The Student Services Director provides you with a list of the student groups at each middle and high school

11. Collaborate with the District Directors to target middle and high schools for your awareness campaign

Source: California Department of Education

California Community Colleges

Click here for a list of California Community Colleges offering a Fire Technology Program.

Fire Technology will not be offered at all community colleges, but if so, it will be part of the Vocational Education Programs.

As taken from the *2006 California Community College Directory, contacts for noticing community colleges within your district of your upcoming outreach events would include:

*To order a Directory please contact:

Community College League of California
2017 “O” Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 444-8641
Email: cclc@ccleague.org
Website: www.ccleague.org

Fire Explorer Post Locations

There are several Fire Explorer Posts throughout California.

First, to find the local posts and contacts near you, go to: www.cfea.net

Next click on ‘Links.’ There you will find a list of the active posts and can click on the one you want for more information and contacts.