A Partnership for Success

By improving the quality of education and training within the fire service and setting a professional standard for firefighters throughout the state of California, the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC) has proven itself an innovative and respected leader.

A collaboration of two strong and influential forces, the Cal-JAC is co-sponsored by the Office of the California State Fire Marshal, representing management, and the California Professional Firefighters, AFL-CIO, representing labor. This partnership of management and labor creates a balance that benefits California fire departments, firefighters and ultimately the communities in which they serve.

Creating Excellence in the Fire Service

Training

The concept of building skill through  apprenticeship has been around since the Middle Ages. Then, as now, the object was simple, use the experience of one generation to train the next. For over 40 years, the Cal-JAC has brought this tradition to our demanding profession. With more than 190 fire departments representing over 10,000 apprentices, and logging millions of training hours, the Cal-JAC has become the cornerstone of standards-based firefighter training in California. When fire departments and their respective labor associations subscribe to the Cal-JAC , they are agreeing to provide their apprentices valuable instruction while meeting the Cal-JAC standards, which parallel the State Board of Fire Services and the Emergency Medical Services Authority.  

Apprenticeship training consists of an academy, followed by instruction that relates to or supplements what was taught in the academy. Apprenticeship works because it provides true-to-life work experience through on-the-job training.

Recruitment

The Cal-JAC emphasizes the value of recruiting well trained and qualified firefighting personnel from the ranks of underrepresented and target groups. The program reaches out to all areas of society because firefighters protect all of society. The Cal-JAC provides effective outreach materials and services for recruitment to our participating departments. Current materials available can be found on our website under “Recruitment.”

In 2005, the Cal-JAC created a new Commission to Recruit Women for the Fire Service. Comprised of female firefighters – ranging from firefighter to chief – the Commission meets regularly to develop fresh approaches to recruiting women. The Commission has successfully created several recruitment pieces including a video, brochure and posters and has organized a series of firefighter career expos … all designed to bring a new generation of women into the profession. The Cal-JAC emphasizes the value of recruiting well trained and qualified firefighting personnel from the ranks of underrepresented and target groups. The program reaches out to all areas of society because firefighters protect all of society. 

Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC)

The Firefigher Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) 

The Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) is California’s comprehensive solution for connecting qualified and committed entry-level   firefighter candidates with the fire departments looking to hire them. Founded by the Cal-JAC in 2014, FCTC is the product of experience and commitment to creating excellence in the fire service. For more than four decades, Cal-JAC has been guided by its founding mission: recruiting and training the next generation of fire service professionals. Built by the fire service, for the fire service, FCTC is the gateway to a stronger, more skilled, and more diverse profession.

Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT): For decades, Cal-JAC has provided the CPAT for fire departments statewide and currently serves over 180 California fire agencies.

FCTC Written Test: The FCTC Written Test is developed from the ground up by a panel of experts – chiefs, line firefighters, recruitment officers and human resource professionals, from departments large and small. Although this general knowledge exam doesn’t require any prior fire service experience, every question and scenario presented is inspired by and relevant to the job. 

Statewide Eligibility List (SEL): FCTC’s SEL matches qualified candidates with the agencies that need them. The candidate’s CPAT card with issue date, written test results, as well as identifying information and any certifications and licenses appear on the list so departments can easily screen for desired qualifications. FCTC strives to make the SEL as flexible and dynamic as possible and the over 170 participating California fire agencies use the SEL in a variety of ways. For Cal-JAC affiliated departments, utilizing the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List is completely free.