Volunteer Program Frequently Asked Questions

Volunteers serve at contract fire stations. The stations are located throughout inland San Diego County. See a map of the stations here.

No. However, a stipend to help with the costs associated with volunteering (e.g., uniforms, transportation to the stations, meals at the station) may be provided.

No. If you are accepted and it is determined that you require the academy, the cost of the academy is paid by SDCFA.

Yes. SDCFA provides all PPE for volunteer firefighters including, but not limited to:  turnouts, helmets, wildland gear, fire shelters, and goggles. Station and training uniforms are not provided.

Yes. While SDCFA cannot possibly guarantee you will be hired as a paid firefighter after volunteering in the program, several former volunteers have been hired as paid firefighters by other agencies. In general, the SDCFA Volunteer Program is a great opportunity for individuals to receive training and accumulate experience in fire service.

If you are accepted and it is determined that you require the volunteer firefighter academy, you should expect to train two to three days each week during the two-month academy. The academy training typically occurs Thursday evenings and weekend days. After academy, you should minimally expect to serve three 24-hours shifts monthly. In addition, you will be required to attend training nights or days which are held up to four times monthly.

SDCFA incurs substantial expenses in the process of selecting, screening and training volunteers. These expenditures are expected to be recaptured through services by volunteers with SDCFA. SDCFA suffers substantial detriment if the applicant leaves volunteer service with SDCFA before completing a reasonable period of service, being deemed to be twelve (12) months from commencement of regular at-the-station service as a volunteer.

Maybe, but not likely. Many volunteers in our program have attended paramedic school while attempting to stay active as a volunteer firefighter. Nearly all have found the workload of paramedic school overwhelming while trying to maintain their volunteer commitments and, as a result, have had to choose between paramedic school and volunteer service.