Become a Paramedic
Respond to fires, provide emergency medical assistance, help the community – it’s all part of being a paramedic at CAL FIRE. Check out this video to learn about the endless opportunities available to paramedics and steps you can take now to begin your career as a paramedic at CAL FIRE.
Minimum age of 18 years at the time of appointment. (Candidates who are within two months of satisfying the age requirement will be admitted to the examination.) and
Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment. and
Possession of a current Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT- P) certificate issued by a California County Health Officer; or enrollment in an approved paramedic training program within five months of completion. (Proof of paramedic certification applicable to county of employment will be required prior to appointment.) and Experience: Either I Three months of fire-fighting experience.
Or II
One year of experience as a certified volunteer fire fighter.
Or III
Completion of prerequisite training courses for Fire Fighter I certification.
Or IV
One year of experience as a Fire Prevention Specialist I and successful completion of the mandatory training courses prescribed for a Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Fighter I.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Fire fighting and emergency medical rescue methods and equipment, and operation of fire and paramedic apparatus.
Ability to: Read and write English at a level required for successful job performance; learn to operate emergency vehicles (special fire-suppression and paramedic) and other equipment efficiently and safely; learn fire laws; do heavy physical work; follow oral and written directions; write legibly; exercise good judgment in emergency situations; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; live in a fire station compatibly with others; maintain cooperative relationships with other organizations and agencies.
Special Personal Characteristics
Willingness to work on weekends and holidays and remain on duty 24- hours a day, as required; color vision adequate to successfully perform the job as measured by the Ishihara Pseudo-Chromatic Plate Test or for persons failing the Ishihara, the Farnsworth D-15 Arrangement Test; hearing adequacy within speech frequencies (uncorrected); full use of both hands and both feet; physical strength and agility; weight in proportion to height; no more than a mild reaction to poison oak; emotional stability; sensitivity to needs of injured persons and their families; patience, tact, alertness and keenness of observation.
Additional Desirable Qualification
Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.