If the DMV was a Fire department... - Firefighter/Paramedic CAL Fire Employee Review

2.0
Sep 5, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Benifits are good, they contribute 1750/month for medical, Good experience, busy, working hard and getting plenty of action, good coworkers

Cons

Forced OT and 72 hour workweek. 3 days on and 4 days off is alot of hours, but they are so short staffed you dont even get your 4 days off every week. Often there is forced OT with no advanced notice. They cant retain FF/paramedics so they are abused and overworked, 11 days straight is a normal occurrence during the summer.(thats at a municipal station running 911 calls all night) 2/10 people are burned out and dont care about their jobs or calls or anything just there running out time to get a pension.

Explore other reviews about CAL Fire

5.0
Oct 27, 2025
Anonymous temporary employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great environment, opportunities for real-world experience

Cons

No cons come to mind

3.0
Apr 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good benefits. Flexible work location, can transfer most anywhere in the state. Low barrier to entry.

Cons

The department is moving towards making everyone into a fuels reduction crew. Whereas ordinarily we would spend our time training, exercising, and maintaining our fire station and equipment we now work all day in menial labor. The assumption that our 24 hour shift consists of a 10 hour duty day and 14 hours of standby at the fire station seems to be gone now. Instead we are committed to fuels reduction work for our 10 hours and expected to train, exercise, and finish administrative duties in the evening or at night.

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