1

Private Firefighter Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Private Firefighter information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$29.7K

$62.2K

$104.3K

How much do private firefighter jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for private firefighter in Riverside, CA is $62,185.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,500.00 and $72,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are private firefighters?

Private firefighters are professionals hired by private companies, organizations, or individuals to protect specific properties from fire risks. Unlike municipal firefighters who serve the general public, private firefighters often work in high-risk industries like oil and gas, or are contracted by insurance companies to defend homes during wildfire events. Their responsibilities can include fire prevention, emergency response, risk assessment, and sometimes even training others in fire safety. Private firefighting teams typically have specialized equipment and training tailored to the unique needs of their clients.

What are some unique challenges private firefighters face compared to those in public fire departments?

Private firefighters often work in specialized environments, such as industrial sites, remote locations, or large private properties, which means they may encounter unique risks like hazardous materials or limited access to municipal resources. These roles can require greater adaptability, as teams are sometimes smaller and may need to handle a broader range of emergencies, including medical incidents or security threats. Additionally, private firefighters frequently collaborate closely with site management and security personnel, so strong communication skills and the ability to quickly assess and respond to evolving situations are essential.

What is the 7k rule for firefighters?

The 7k rule for firefighters refers to a guideline that suggests maintaining a minimum of 7,000 hours of training and experience to qualify for certain advanced firefighting roles or certifications. It emphasizes the importance of extensive hands-on experience, ongoing training, and skill development in the firefighting profession.

What is the difference between Private Firefighter vs Firefighter?

AspectPrivate FirefighterFirefighter
CertificationsFirefighter certification, CPR, EMT (if applicable)Firefighter certification, CPR, EMT (if applicable)
Work EnvironmentPrivate properties, industrial sites, private communitiesPublic fire departments, municipal stations
Employer & IndustryPrivate companies, security firms, industrial facilitiesMunicipal fire departments, government agencies

Both Private Firefighters and Firefighters require similar certifications and often work in environments involving fire suppression and emergency response. However, Private Firefighters typically serve private properties or industrial sites, while Firefighters work for public fire departments. The roles overlap in skills and training but differ mainly in employer and work setting.

What Does a Private Firefighter Do?

As a private firefighter, your responsibilities are similar to that of municipal or state firefighters. However, you are not a state employee. Instead, you work for an insurance company that insures individuals or private companies and contracts private firefighting services to protect clients’ properties or commercial buildings during wildfires or other disasters. Your duties are to respond to emergency calls from your employer and conduct fire suppression operations, such as spraying retardant on clients’ homes or removing flammable material near the buildings that the insurance company covers.

How do private firefighters work?

Private firefighters are trained professionals employed by private companies or organizations to provide fire protection services, often in specific facilities like industrial sites, private estates, or events. They typically work in teams, use specialized firefighting equipment, and may hold certifications such as firefighter or emergency medical responder licenses. Their duties include fire prevention, emergency response, and safety inspections, often operating on a fixed schedule or as needed during emergencies.

Can an epileptic be a firefighter?

Private firefighters, like other firefighting roles, typically require candidates to meet health and safety standards, which may include medical evaluations. Having epilepsy does not automatically disqualify a candidate, but it depends on the severity, control of symptoms, and the ability to perform essential duties safely, often requiring medical clearance and adherence to safety protocols.

What does 555 mean to a firefighter?

In firefighting, 555 is a common emergency phone number used in some regions to quickly reach fire services or emergency dispatch. It is often used as a shorthand or code in training and communication to indicate a fire emergency or to request assistance. Firefighters rely on clear communication protocols, and codes like 555 help streamline emergency responses.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Private Firefighter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Private Firefighter, you need comprehensive knowledge of fire suppression techniques, emergency medical response, and typically must hold state firefighter and EMT certifications. Familiarity with tools such as fire engines, hoses, breathing apparatus, and incident management systems is crucial. Strong teamwork, situational awareness, and effective communication are vital soft skills for handling high-pressure emergencies. These abilities are important to ensure safety, quick response, and effective coordination in protecting lives and property for private clients or organizations.
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Private Firefighter jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Private Firefighter job openings:
Infographic showing various Private Firefighter job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $62,185 per year, or $29.9 per hour.

Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Wildland Fire Operations Technician)

IBC Opportunities | U.S. Department of the Interior

Riverside, CA • On-site

$78K/yr

Other

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

This Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Wildland Fire Operations Technician) position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-10 working in the following locations:
Bishop, CA: 1 vacancy
Lee Vining, CA: 1 vacancy
Ridgecrest, CA: 1 vacancy
Mineral or Tulelake, CA: 1 vacancy
Santa Monica, CA: 1 vacancy
Onyx, CA: 1 vacancy
Taft, CA: 1 vacancy
Riverside or Jamul, CA: 1 vacancy
Willows or El Dorado Hills, CA: 1 vacancy
Hawaii National Park, HI: 1 vacancy
Thousand Oaks, CA: 1 vacancy

Qualifications:

In order to qualify for this position you must possess the Minimum Qualification requirements listed below.

Selective Placement Factor(s): This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified.

Prior on-the-line firefighting: This experience must be clearly documented in your resume with specific to and from dates, description of work performed, and hours worked per week in order to be considered. This is an administrative position in an organization having a firefighting mission and is in an established career path. Prior firefighting experience, as gained by substantial service in a primary firefighter position or equivalent experience outside the Federal Government is a MANDATORY PREREQUISITE for incumbents of this position.
Applicants must have documented prior primary firefighting experience, with substantial service defined as either:

  • At least one full fire season working in a primary wildland firefighting role (e.g., Engine Crew, Fire Effects Crew, Prescribed Fire/Fuels Crew, Hand Crew, Helitack Crew, Hotshot Crew, Smokejumper, Wildland Fire Modules or Fire Suppression Crews, etc.) with a federal, state, tribal, local, or private-sector organization; OR
  • At least 14 days of on-the-ground fireline experience (cumulative or consecutive)

Prior primary wildland fire experience must be clearly documented in your resume.
Note: an IQCS Master Record or equivalent document will not be used to determine or calculate prior primary wildland fire experience eligibility for this requirement.

This position has been identified as one of the key fire management positions under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard. This position has been categorized as a Wildland Fire Operations Specialist - High Complexity and requires selectee to meet the minimum qualification standards for IFPM prior to being placed into the position. Detailed information regarding IFPM positions can be found here: Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM). To meet IFPM requirements, you must have possessed all of the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management qualifications and training requirements to be considered eligible for this position (currency not required at time of referral, but may be required to obtain and maintain currency if selected):

  • Pathways #1: Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS) and Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3) or Prescribed Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2); OR
  • Pathways #2: Air Support Group Supervisor (ASGS) and Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3)

In addition to the requirements described above, the following additional experience is required.
Minimum Qualification

For the GW-10 level:
If you are a current or former federal employee who served in a competitive or excepted appointment, your resume must show that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-08 grade level equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: Leading a wildland fire module in the suppression of wildland fire incidents, such as on a Handcrew: locating fireline and directing fireline construction, backfiring and burnout operations, engine and pump operations, brush clearing, tree falling and holding/patrol/mop up operations; Prescribed Fire: monitoring fire behavior, fire effects, and fire weather; collecting fire data such as fuel loading, tree stand density, fuel moisture, map projects, weather, and records maintenance; Engine: operating a wildland fire engine directing the correct positioning, starting, priming, and adjusting pump valves, hose, nozzles and adjusting additives; Helitack: directing the loading of helicopter, flight manifests, preparing and hooking long line loads.
If you have never been or are NOT a current federal employee who served in a competitive or excepted appointment, your resume must show that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GW-09 grade level. Specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: Assisting in the supervision of a wildland fire module described above, assisting in the day to-day planning of work assignments and distribution of work, determining preparedness and suppression needs, facilitating procurement, formulating and preparing project plans for the module; managing inventory and assigning property; ensuring safe operation of tools and equipment; determining training needs; determining best tactical method of fire suppression, tools and methods to use; maintaining records and reports on crew hours and movements and history of action taken on fires; determining probable causes of fire and preserves evidence.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Applicants for this secondary administrative fire fighter position under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) (CSRS) and 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d), must possess knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of wildland firefighting as demonstrated by direct wildland firefighting experience. In order to receive credit, you must provide a written description of your experience in wildland firefighting. Education without hands-on wildland firefighting experience does not meet this requirement. Periods of wildland firefighting experience, gained through militia and rural fire departments, can also be credited. Wildland fire is defined as any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland. Two distinct types of wildland fire have been defined and include wildfire and prescribed fires as follows: Wildfire: Unplanned ignitions or prescribed fires that are declared wildfires. Prescribed Fires: Planned ignitions. This description includes only fire line experience on a Prescribed Fire; it does not include experience in the planning stages. Prescribed fire experience must be supplemented by fire suppression experience in order to be creditable as previous wildland firefighting experience.

Physical Demands: Arduous exertion for protracted periods of time such as, but not limited to, extensive running, walking, climbing, kneeling, stooping, pulling hoses, jumping and twisting, prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity.
Working Conditions: Forest, range, and desert environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with thick tangled vegetation, smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures commonly exceed 100 degrees F and may fall below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Employee must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor bivouac and eating situations under an unpredictable set of circumstances. Firefighters may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (e.g., boots, hard hat, gloves, flame resistant clothing). Work may require travel by fixed-wing or rotorwing aircraft.

Education:Education may not be used to qualify for this position.Employment Type: OTHER