If you’ve been reading this blog at all, you know that I am attending the Los Medanos College Fire Academy in Pittsburg, CA, but that is only one of many great school in the state of California which offer a OSFM Firefighter 1 program.
For those of you who want to get your own journey started, here’s a list of CA State Fire Training facilities & programs :
The below list may be somewhat outdated.
For the most accurate and up-to-date list, go here.
| Accredited Regional Training Programs |
| Allan Hancock College |
Santa Maria, CA |
| American River College |
Sacramento, CA |
| Antelope Valley College |
Lancaster, CA |
| Bakersfield College |
Bakersfield, CA |
| Butte Community College |
Oroville, CA |
| Chabot Community College |
Hayward, CA |
| Crafton Hills Community College |
Yucaipa, CA |
| El Camino College |
Torrance, CA |
| Glendale Community College |
Pasadena, CA |
| Los Angeles City F.D. |
Los Angeles, CA |
| Los Medanos College |
Pittsburg, CA |
| Modesto Jr. College |
Modesto, CA |
| Mt. Saint Antionio C.C. |
Walnut, CA |
| Oxnard College |
Camarillo, CA |
| Palomar College |
San Marcos, CA |
| Porterville Comm. College |
Porterville, CA |
| Rio Hondo College |
Whittier, CA |
| Riverside Community College |
Riverside, CA |
| San Francisco, City College of |
San Francisco, CA |
| San Joaquin Delta College |
Stockton, CA |
| San Mateo, College of |
San Mateo, CA |
| Santa Anna College |
Santa Anna, CA |
| Santa Rosa Jr. College |
Santa Rosa, CA |
| Sequoias, College of |
Visalia, CA |
| Shasta Community College |
Shasta, CA |
| Sierra College |
Rocklin, CA |
| Siskiyous, College of the |
Weed, CA |
| Solano Community College |
Suisun City, CA |
| South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium |
San Jose, CA |
| Victor Valley College |
Victorvile, CA |
| Yuba College |
Marysville, CA |
| Accredited Local Academies (ALA) |
| Cal Fire Academy |
Lone, CA |
| Fremont Fire Dept. |
Fremont, CA |
| Oakland Fire Dept. |
Oakland, CA |
| San Diego Fire Dept. |
San Diego, CA |
| San Jose Fire Dept. |
San Jose, CA |
| San Pasqual Reservation Fire Academy |
Valley Center, CA |
You should add the San Pasqual Reservation Fire Academy. It’s North San Diego county’s best kept secret. They have the California State Fire Marshall accreditation as well as the IFSAC accreditation. I got 21 accredited certs. I graduated last November.
Great site… I found it randomly on a post you put on facebook. (on the firecareers fan site.
I know someone who’s finishing Fireman I and II training in AZ, but can’t get certified as a fireman since AZ dropped the accreditation program because of budget cuts. Do you have any advice for him?
Hi Joni,
Thanks for posting and for emailing me as well! (Your email is quoted below)
My site is focused on becoming a firefighter in California, so depending on how differently things are run in Arizona (I’m a wildcat by the way – UofA alumni) my answers to you may be a little off.
You mention that your friend has taken “Fireman 1 and 2”. I’m not sure if you mean fire science classes at a college, or something else. In general Firefighter I and II accreditation means that somebody has graduated from a fire academy and has worked as a firefighter for either 6 months full time, or 1 year part time. Currently I am working toward my firefighter I at the Cordelia Fire Dept in Fairfield, CA. Cordelia is a volunteer fire department and is a great place to get both experience and training, and ultimately my firefighter I certificate. Has your friend done this?
If not, I assume he’s taking classes, which is great! You also mentioned he got his EMT license which is essential to moving forward in a firefighting career. If the budget cuts have forced the cancellation of classes at his local college, have him consider another school or even take classes online. I haven’t looked into online programs (though it’s a great idea for a blog post), but I know there are number of school available with fire programs online.
I’d also urge him to get a job as an EMT (has he taken his National Registry exam yet?) for the experience. Also have him look into local “Explorer” programs with local fire departments, or even volunteer or reserve positions depending on the level of experience and training he’s gotten so far.
If I misunderstood what he’s done, please let me know and I’ll try and give a better answer, but this should be a good start for him. Additionally, if he hasn’t been through a fire academy, look into that as well.
Hope this helps!
– Josh
Dave,
Thanks for the heads up! San Pasqual Reservation Fire Academy is now on the list!
– Josh
If I complete a fire academy, but have not completed any hours what do I check for having my fire fighter 1? No if it asks for california state fire marshal, but yes if it asks if i have a certificate from an academy?
Chris,
That’s exactly right. There is a definite distinction between your states Firefighter 1 certification and the completion of a state certified Firefighter 1 academy. If an application or hiring department requires a Firefighter 1, the academy alone is not enough. You’ll still need either 1 year of part time experience, or 6 months of full time experience as a firefighter to earn your certification. This is usually accomplished by working with a volunteer department or in a reserve program.
Hi Josh…
I noticed that Columbia College isn’t listed an an accredited regional academy. Have they
lost their accreditation? If so, what are the ramifications of graduating from a fire academy
that isn’t California State Fire Marshal accredited?
Hey,
I am currently gathering information so that i can begin to pursue my firefighting career. I was planning on getting my EMT cert. First then attend a fire academy. Can i have anyones opinion? Also, to join a community college fire academy do you need to be a current student of that college?? Thanks!
How do i find the application for San Pasquals fire academy. i cannot find it anywhere. any info will help thanks
There still seems to be a lack of consistency in how the various countries are giving credit to fire training. There are very skilled people coming to me from places like CA and they are uncertain about how their quals will be regarded in a country like OZ even though the standards at the US fire academies are very high.