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Internship Firefighter Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

City of San Luis Obispo

Firefighter

San Luis Obispo, CA · On-site

$84K - $115K/yr

May provide work direction and/or instruction to less experienced Firefighters or interns. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (Any one position may not include all of the ...

City of Santee, CA

Firefighter Paramedic

Santee, CA · On-site

$78K/yr

Firefighter Paramedics will advance through the salary schedule in accordance with the current MOU ... Candidates who are currently in paramedic school must be in the clinical or internship portion of ...

City of Fullerton, CA

Fire Cadet

Fullerton, CA · On-site

Whether you're exploring a career in firefighting, preparing for the fire academy, pursuing EMT ... Benefits are not associated with volunteer/unpaid internships. 01 Do you live within the City of ...

County of Nevada

CTE Intern-Airport

Nevada City, CA · On-site

$16 - $21.50/hr

Interns need to have the willingness and ability to work unusual schedules and multiple shifts during emergencies or during periods of firefighting activities. Some accommodations may be made for ...

County of Nevada, CA

CTE Intern-Airport

Nevada City, CA · On-site

$16 - $21.50/hr

Interns need to have the willingness and ability to work unusual schedules and multiple shifts during emergencies or during periods of firefighting activities. Some accommodations may be made for ...

CaptiveAire

Quality Engineer

Redding, CA

$76K - $98K/yr

Some days will be full of firefighting on the production floor, where others may be deep-diving on ... Internship/co-op experience is preferred * Must enjoy hands on product exposure * Electrical skills ...

CaptiveAire

Quality Engineer

Redding, CA · On-site

$76K - $98K/yr

Some days will be full of firefighting on the production floor, where others may be deep-diving on ... Internship/co-op experience is preferred * Must enjoy hands on product exposure * Electrical skills ...

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Internship Firefighter information

See California salary details

$9

$17

$23

How much do internship firefighter jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship firefighter in California is $17.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an internship firefighter?

Internship Firefighters are individuals, often students or recent graduates, who participate in a structured program within a fire department to gain hands-on experience in fire service. These internships provide practical training in firefighting, emergency response, and public safety operations under the supervision of experienced fire personnel. The goal is to prepare aspiring firefighters for a career in the field by exposing them to real-world situations and building essential skills. Internship Firefighters may assist with daily station duties, training exercises, and actual emergency calls, depending on the department's policies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship firefighter, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Firefighter, you need foundational knowledge of fire safety, emergency response protocols, and basic first aid, often gained through relevant coursework or pre-employment training. Familiarity with firefighting tools, protective gear, and communication systems like radios is important for effective on-scene support. Strong teamwork, adaptability, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial soft skills for success in this role. These skills and qualities ensure safety, efficient response, and valuable learning experiences during emergency situations.

What are some common challenges faced by internship firefighters, and how can they best prepare for them?

Internship firefighters often encounter challenges such as adapting to a fast-paced environment, handling physically demanding tasks, and learning to work effectively as part of a disciplined team. New interns may also need to quickly familiarize themselves with safety protocols and specialized equipment. To prepare, it's beneficial to maintain good physical fitness, proactively seek feedback from experienced team members, and engage in continuous learning through training sessions. Building strong communication skills and staying adaptable will help you thrive and contribute positively to the team.

What is the difference between Internship Firefighter vs Firefighter?

AspectInternship FirefighterFirefighter
Required CredentialsBasic CPR, EMT certification, or training programsFirefighter certification, EMT or paramedic license, ongoing training
Work EnvironmentTraining sites, fire academies, supervised on-the-job trainingActive fire scenes, emergency calls, rescue operations
Employer & Industry UsageFire departments during training periodsFull-time fire departments, emergency services

Internship Firefighters are trainees gaining hands-on experience and certifications, while Firefighters are fully qualified professionals actively responding to emergencies. Internships serve as a stepping stone to becoming a licensed Firefighter, with differences mainly in experience level and responsibilities.

Can you intern as a firefighter?

Yes, many fire departments offer internship or cadet programs for aspiring firefighters, which provide hands-on experience and training. These internships often require candidates to be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, and complete basic firefighting and emergency medical training. Internships can help develop skills such as fire suppression, rescue operations, and teamwork, and may lead to full-time employment opportunities.

How to get a job as an internship firefighter with no experience?

To become an internship firefighter with no experience, applicants should focus on obtaining basic emergency response certifications such as CPR and first aid, and demonstrate a strong interest in firefighting through volunteering or related activities. Many fire departments offer internship programs for students or individuals interested in pursuing a career in firefighting, often requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. Building physical fitness and understanding fire safety principles can also improve chances of acceptance into an internship program.

Is 28 too late to be an internship firefighter?

Internship firefighter programs typically have age requirements that vary by department, but many accept applicants up to their late 20s or early 30s. Age is less important than meeting physical fitness standards, completing necessary training, and demonstrating a commitment to the role. Candidates should check specific department requirements for accurate information.

What are the most commonly searched types of Firefighter jobs in California?

The most popular types of Firefighter jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Internship Firefighter jobs in California?

For Internship Firefighter jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Internship Firefighter jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Internship Firefighter jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Internship Firefighter jobs?

Cities in California with the most Internship Firefighter job openings:

Internship Firefighter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Firefighter job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, 61% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,523 per year, or $17.1 per hour.

Firefighter

City of San Luis Obispo, CA

San Luis Obispo, CA • On-site

$84K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Salary : $84,422.00 - $115,154.00 Annually
Location : City of San Luis Obispo, CA
Job Type: Regular Full Time
Department: Emergency Response
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: 9/25/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
JOB DESCRIPTION
The City of San Luis Obispo has multiple openings for Firefighters.
CLICK HERE to view the full recruitment flyer and learn more about this amazing opportunity!
ENTRY-LEVEL APPLICANTS must be active on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List (SEL) with a score of 80 or higher by the application closing date, Friday, September 25, 2026.
LATERAL APPLICANTS do not need to be on the FCTC list but must be an active firefighter with a minimum of 1 year of full-time, professional firefighting experience. Please note that if you are a lateral applicant, you are not required to possess and upload a current CPAT/BPAT certificate; however, if offered the position, you will be required to have a CPAT/BPAT certificate before February 1, 2027.
Please attach ALL certifications required for this position.
ATTACHMENTS NEEDED FOR APPLICATION
ATTACHMENT NOTE: Name the documents/files with the name of the certification followed by last, first name (e.g., Paramedic License - Smith, John).
Entry-Level Applicants
Lateral Applicants
Required: CA State Firefighter I Academy Certificate/Equivalent or Attestation
Required:CA State Firefighter I Academy Certificate/Equivalent
Required: Current CPAT/BPAT dated on or after 9/1/2025
Required: EMT Certification or Paramedic License
Required: EMT Certification or Paramedic License
Optional: Current CPAT/BPAT dated on or after 9/1/2025.
Will be required if offered the position
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT TIMELINE:
  • Friday, September 25, 2026 at 5:00 pm: Application Period Closes
  • September 28 - October 9, 2026: Application Screening Window
  • Week of October 12 - 16, 2026: Application Status Updates - All candidates will receive a status notification at the email address used to apply. Please monitor your inbox closely.
  • Week of October 27 - 30, 2026: In-Person Oral Board Interviews (Held at a City of San Luis Obispo facility; details sent directly to top candidates).

FIREFIGHTER CANDIDATE TESTING CENTER (FCTC) DETAILS
  • Statewide Eligibility List (SEL): Learn how to get placed on the SEL at
  • Testing Schedules: View upcoming Cal-JAC CPAT and FCTC Written Test dates at
  • Financial Assistance: Candidates experiencing financial hardship may apply for test fee assistance at
  • IMPORTANT: It is your sole responsibility to ensure your contact information in your FCTC profile matches what you are putting on this application to be accurately matched to the SEL. (FCTC ID#, Name, Email Address, Phone Number, etc.).

JOB SUMMARY:
Under general supervision of a Fire Engineer or Fire Captain, the Firefighter serves citizens, visitors, business owners, and other City employees, while demonstrating competence and compassion in the areas of firefighting, rescue, emergency medical aid, and fire prevention activities in protecting life and property. Provides public education; as assigned, assists with training activities, mobile crisis unit and program management; operates and maintains fire apparatus and pumps and other firefighting equipment on a relief basis.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
This class requires the application of highly specialized knowledge and skill in one or more areas in an emergency response environment. This class is distinguished from Fire Engineer in that the Fire Engineer carries the primary responsibility of operating and maintaining fire pumping engines and other firefighting equipment.
SUPERVISION
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Works under the general supervision of Fire Captain or Fire Engineer. May provide work direction and/or instruction to less experienced Firefighters or interns.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)
  • Provide exemplary customer service to all individuals by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair, courteous, and respectful, and to actively participate in maintaining a positive customer service environment.
  • Works well as a member of a team, including during urgent and emergency situations.
  • Responds skillfully and compassionately to emergency and non-emergency fires, medical aids, rescues, hazardous materials spills and releases, disasters, and public assists.
  • Demonstrates excellent listening and communication skills and knowledge of current fire service issues.
  • Responds to fire alarms with fire company while on duty and individually when off duty.
  • Responds to all natural disasters threatening the City.
  • Renders skilled, compassionate first aid, Basic Life Support, and assists with Advanced Life Support and or mental health clinician.
  • Firefighters licensed as a Paramedic provide Advanced Life Support.
  • Performs the following duties under adverse conditions including Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) atmospheres, extreme weather conditions, in confined or elevated positions, and other high-risk environments, and during all hours of the day and for extended periods without rest:
    • Raises, extends, climbs, and lowers ladders.
    • Carries and uses heavy equipment.
    • Makes forcible entry into buildings.
    • Ventilation procedures to drive out smoke and gas.
    • Connects and lays hose lines.
    • Enters IDLH atmospheres to suppress fire and/or rescue victims.
    • Stabilizes compromised structures.
    • Operates nozzles and applies water streams in fire situations.
    • Assists in salvage and cleanup operations.
    • Assists in operations to ensure that fire is completely extinguished.
    • Operates all required functions while wearing personal protective equipment, including a self-contained breathing apparatus.
  • Operates/maintains fire extinguishers.
  • Creates and maintains accurate documentation including such documents as patient care reports, fire reports, fire prevention reports, training records, and other program reports as assigned
  • Assists in fire investigation.
  • Keeps abreast of latest fire safety developments.
  • Participates in Emergency Medical Service (EMS) continuing education training and maintains Emergency Medical Technician certification or Paramedic license and Accreditation, as assigned.
  • Inspects business establishments, residences, public buildings, and other buildings in enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to fire and hazard prevention
  • Maintains skills through continued education and training.
  • Performs duties of Fire Engineer on a relief basis.
  • Assists in the repair, maintenance, inspection and testing of vehicles and equipment assigned to the Fire Department.
  • Assists in the maintenance of clean and orderly conditions in and about fire stations.
  • Gives station tours and public education presentations for adults and children's groups.
  • May be required to work a forty-hour work week.
  • Studies and adheres to Fire Department rules, policies, and procedures.
  • Participates in a variety of public education programs.
  • Engages in fitness activities and maintains fitness as a means of safely and effectively performing all essential duties while minimizing risk of injury.
  • Communicate with Fire Captain/Company Officer, and other fire crew members to keep them informed of changes in equipment status during non-emergencies, and changes during emergency situations; communicate with oncoming shift members of changes in equipment status; and complete written forms to keep track of personal records (e.g., timecards, shift-trades, personal exposure records, etc.).
  • Critique emergencies and participate in pre-fire planning, critiquing, and discussing actions taken at emergency calls; making on-site visits to become familiar with specific hazards within district; and participating in discussions of how to improve actions at emergency calls.
  • May be assigned to work with the Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU) Mental Health Clinician to proactively respond, report and provide care to persons in crisis, perform general outreach welfare checks and transport persons safely to non-emergency room facilities such as specialized treatment clinics, mental health, and drug/alcohol rehab services.
  • Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:
  • Effective interpersonal communication skills within a work team and with the general public.
  • Principles of out-of-hospital Basic and/or Advanced Life Support procedures.
Ability to:
  • Continue personal and professional development, including learn advanced firefighting, rescue, and medical methods and equipment, and to apply such knowledge to specific situations and to local requirements.
  • Learn to drive fire equipment carefully and safely in accordance with traffic laws and ordinances and learn the City's Street and water systems.
  • Learn fire prevention and inspection principles.
  • Learn, understand, and adhere to Fire Department and City policies, procedures, including the current Memorandum of Agreement between the City and the International Association of Firefighters Local 3523.
  • Understand the principles of hydraulics.
  • Perform required maintenance of firefighting equipment.
  • Think and act quickly and correctly in emergencies.
  • Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
  • Carry out work assignments involving danger to life and health.
  • Climb ladders and work at heights.
  • Work in confined spaces using respiratory protection.
  • Have sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform strenuous work under adverse and dangerous conditions.
  • Perform routine station house maintenance work.
  • Learn a variety of firefighting duties within the probationary period, including passing a driving and pumping exam.
  • Speak effectively in public to diverse individuals and groups.
  • Meet requirements as established by the Federal government and the State of California.
  • Work with others on a team, contributing to an overall effort; work closely with other people; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the public.
  • Apply mechanical principles (e.g., how pulleys, gears, levers, engines, motors, etc., work).
  • Visualize spatial arrangements and 3-dimensional characteristics of structure (e.g., visualize entry and exits to structures in smoke-filled rooms).
  • Requires a willingness to work in unpleasant, hazardous, and stressful conditions; perform undesirable, routine, or monotonous duties; work irregular hours; wear protective clothing and equipment; work effectively in confined areas; tolerate offensive sights and smells.
  • Read and interpret basic maps in order to apply this information during emergency activities (e.g., finding most direct route).
  • Read and understand simply technical or mechanical diagrams, blueprints of structures, building plans, floor plans, etc. in order to apply this information during emergency and non-emergency activities (e.g., pre-fire planning, location of victims in structures, etc.)
  • Read and understand reference materials such as Building Codes as needed for pre-fire planning, inspections, etc.
  • Perform basic mathematical calculations to compute pump requirements, hose, and hydrant requirements, etc. (e.g., volume, flow, capacity, etc.) and to compute the size of a building or room or determine the distance from one location to another (e.g., area, square footage, distance, size).
  • Inductively solve basic problems (i.e., to induce means to infer general principles from specific or particular points, such as knowledge of fire behavior applied to a specific fire).
  • Deductively solve basic problems (i.e., deduce means to infer specific or particular points from a general principle, such as observation of water hammer to actions being taken at the hydrant or pump).
  • Estimate size, quantity, distance, and slope (e.g., estimate size and spread of a fire).
  • React in an emotionally appropriate manner during routine and emergency situations.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent.
License or Certification:
  • Minimum of a valid California Class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record
  • California State Firefighter 1 Academy Certificate or equivalent accredited academy having established reciprocity (i.e., Pro-Board or IFSAC).
  • And at least one of the following:
    1. Nationally Registered or California State Emergency Medical Technician
    2. Nationally Registered Paramedic License and must become San Luis Obispo County Accredited within 3 months of academy completion.
    3. California State Paramedic License and must become San Luis Obispo County Accredited within 3 months of academy completion.
FCTC:Active on

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