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Airport Firefighting Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

FIREFIGHTER

Barstow, CA · On-site

$42K/yr

Firefighter I Firefighter II Airport Firefighter Hazardous Materials Awareness Hazardous Materials Operations National Registry of EMT GS4 : Incumbent has 1 year to complete the following ...

FIREFIGHTER

Barstow, CA · On-site

$46K/yr

Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Airport Firefighter,HazMat Operations, Driver Operator Pumper, and ... Driver Operator ARFF. These certifications must have been awarded by DoD, IFSAC or ProBoard to meet ...

$50K/yr

Firefighter I/II, Airport Firefighter, Hazmat Operations, Hazmat Technician, Driver Operator Pump, Driver Operator ARFF, and National Registered EMT. All certifications must be issued by the ...

$50K/yr

Firefighter I/II, Airport Firefighter, Hazmat Operations, Hazmat Technician, Driver Operator Pump, Driver Operator ARFF, and National Registered EMT. All certifications must be issued by the ...

FIREFIGHTER

Barstow, CA · On-site

$50K/yr

Firefighter I/II, Airport Firefighter, Hazmat Operations, Hazmat Technician, Driver Operator Pump, Driver Operator ARFF, and National Registered EMT. All certifications must be issued by the ...

FIREFIGHTER

Bridgeport, CA · On-site

$46K/yr

Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Airport Firefighter,HazMat Operations, Driver Operator Pumper, and ... Driver Operator ARFF. These certifications must have been awarded by DoD, IFSAC or ProBoard to meet ...

Firefighter I/II, Airport Firefighter, Hazmat Operations, Hazmat Technician, Driver Operator Pump, Driver Operator ARFF, and National Registered EMT. All certifications must be issued by the ...

$46K/yr

Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Airport Firefighter,HazMat Operations, Driver Operator Pumper, and ... Driver Operator ARFF. These certifications must have been awarded by DoD, IFSAC or ProBoard to meet ...

Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Airport Firefighter,HazMat Operations, Driver Operator Pumper, and ... Driver Operator ARFF. These certifications must have been awarded by DoD, IFSAC or ProBoard to meet ...

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Airport Firefighting information

What is airport firefighting?

Airport firefighting is a specialized branch of firefighting that focuses on responding to aviation-related emergencies at airports, such as aircraft fires, fuel spills, and rescue situations. Airport firefighters are trained to handle high-risk scenarios unique to the aviation environment, including rapid response to runway incidents and hazardous materials. They also conduct fire prevention inspections, train for mass casualty events, and work closely with airport operations and emergency services. The goal is to protect passengers, crew, airport staff, and infrastructure while ensuring the safety and security of air travel.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an airport firefighter?

To thrive as an Airport Firefighter, you need expertise in fire suppression, emergency medical response, and hazardous materials handling, typically supported by certifications such as Firefighter I/II, EMT, and specialized ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting) training. Proficiency with firefighting equipment, rescue tools, and communication systems such as radios and alarm monitoring panels is essential. Strong teamwork, quick decision-making, and calmness under pressure are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure rapid, effective response to aviation emergencies, safeguarding lives and property in a high-risk environment.

What are some common challenges faced by airport firefighters, and how are they addressed on the job?

Airport firefighters often face unique challenges such as responding to large-scale aircraft emergencies, hazardous material incidents, and rapidly changing weather conditions. These situations require swift decision-making, specialized training, and close coordination with airport operations and emergency services. To address these challenges, airport firefighters participate in regular, scenario-based drills, maintain certifications in aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF), and work within highly structured teams to ensure clear communication and safety protocols are always followed.

What is the difference between Airport Firefighting vs Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting?

AspectAirport FirefightingAirport Rescue and Fire Fighting
CertificationsFirefighter certification, HAZMAT trainingFirefighter certification, HAZMAT training
Work EnvironmentAirports, aircraft rescue zonesAirports, aircraft rescue zones
Employer & IndustryAirports, airlines

Both Airport Firefighting and Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting involve responding to aircraft emergencies at airports. They share similar certifications, work environments, and industry usage. The terms are often used interchangeably, but 'Airport Firefighting' is the more common term for the role focused on aircraft rescue and fire suppression at airports.

What job categories do people searching Airport Firefighting jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Airport Firefighting jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Airport Firefighting jobs?

Cities in California with the most Airport Firefighting job openings:

Infographic showing various Airport Firefighting job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

$42K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 538 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

This announcement uses the Defense Industrial Base, major Range and Test Facilities Direct Hire Authority to Recruit and appoint Qualified Candidates to certain positions in the competitive service.
The Secretary of Defense has ordered a department-wide hiring freeze subject to certain limited exceptions. This position is subject to the DoD hiring freeze. Offers of employment related to this vacancy announcement will not be executed until the position has an approved exemption.Qualifications:GS-05: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-04 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Performing the duties of rescue operations in fires and fire related emergencies involving structures, aircraft, motor vehicles, wild land, and hazardous materials and providing emergency medical treatment to include but not limited to CPR.
GS-04: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-03 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Performing the duties of rescue operations in fires and fire related emergencies involving structures, aircraft, motor vehicles, wild land, and hazardous materials and providing emergency medical treatment.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0000/fire-protection-and-prevention-series-0081/
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
Certifications required for this position. Must be issued by either the DOD, the Pro-Board, or the international Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC):
GS-05:
Firefighter I
Firefighter II
Airport Firefighter
Hazardous Materials Awareness
Hazardous Materials Operations
National Registry of EMT
GS4: Incumbent has 1 year to complete the following certifications:
Firefighter I
Firefighter II
Airport Firefighter
Hazardous Materials Awareness
Hazardous Materials Operations
National Registry of EMT
Additional requirements:
Hazardous Material Technician
Driver/Operator Pumper
Driver/Operator Aerial
NOTE: FIREFIGHTER SPECIAL RETIREMENT COVERAGEMAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: Title 5 U.S.C. 3307 authorizes the head of any agency to establish a maximum entry age for the original appointment of individuals to the position of primary and rigorous firefighter. The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the maximum entry age for original appointment to a position as a Firefighter (Paramedic). This age restriction does not apply to those who have previously served in a Federal civilian firefighting position covered by title 5 U.S.C. section 3307 provisions OR qualified veteran preferenceeligible covered by title 5 U.S.C. 3307.Primary Position- The employee's primary duties must be performing work directly connected with the control andextinguishment of fires (CSRS and FERS). In general, if an employee spends an average of at least 50% of his/hertime performing a duty or group of duties, they are his/her primary duties. Fire Protection Inspectors, Fire ProtectionSpecialists and positions that are predominantly supervisory in nature or perform training are not consideredprimary positions.Education:
The following education may be substituted in lieu of the specialized experience:
GS-05: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, or another related field of study leading to a bachelor's degree.
or
GS-04: Successful completion of a 2-year course of study in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, or another related field of study. A combination of experience and education as described above that equates to one year of experience. The percentage of the required education plus the percentage of the required experience equal one hundred percent.Employment Type: OTHER

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