What are the responsibilities and job description for the Reserve Firefighter position at Orange County Fire Authority?
DESCRIPTION
The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is currently recruiting to fill multiple Reserve Firefighter positions. The OCFA’s Reserve Program is a community-based program. This program gives members of the community the opportunity to augment full-time career Firefighters with the delivery of emergency fire and rescue services and public relations and education to the community.
Reserve Firefighters volunteer their time to the community solely based on civic and humanitarian reasons. Reserve Firefighters receive a nominal stipend and limited benefits for their voluntary participation in this program. The Reserve Firefighter Program is managed through the Community Volunteer Services Office.
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REWARDING COMMUNITY PROGRAM:
The OCFA's Reserve Firefighter Program offers a variety of participation levels. A volunteer upon entering this program attends a Reserve Firefighter Academy and becomes a Trainee. Upon graduation from the Academy, a Trainee may, if selected and qualified, advance to a higher level depending on his/her response area, training completed, service as a volunteer, and any other requirements specific to the assignment. Advanced levels include:
- Reserve Firefighter, Wildland Support Unit or Helicopter Support Crew
- Reserve Firefighter Driver/Operator, Wildland Support Unit or Helicopter Support Crew Driver/Operator
- Reserve Company Officer, Wildland Support Unit or Helicopter Support Crew Company Officer
- Senior Reserve Officer, Wildland Support Unit or Helicopter Support Crew Senior Reserve Officer
HOW TO BECOME A RESERVE FIREFIGHTER:
1. Verify that you live within 15 minutes of a Reserve Fire Station or 45 minutes of a Wildland Support Unit or Helicopter Support Crew Station.
List of Reserve Stations - Click Here
2. After verifying that you live within the response area, visit the station of interest during its weekly drill nights. Introduce yourself to the Senior Reserve Office and other Reserve Firefighters to learn more about the program to learn whether you have the desire and ability to commit your time as a volunteer.
Drill Night Schedule - Click Here
3. Submit an online application for Reserve Firefighter - be sure to choose the correct Reserve Fire Station.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
A Reserve Firefighter is provided a pager that alerts him/her of an emergency call for help.. When a Reserve Firefighter is able to volunteer his/her time, he/she reports to the station and responds on an assigned fire apparatus. The OCFA has three levels of service needed:
Level 1: Reserve Firefighters are assigned to an Engine Company and receive training to respond to: structure fires, wildland fires, traffic collisions, incident support, and medical aid emergencies. They may also operate a patrol and/or water tender. (Fire Stations: 11, 14, 16)
Level 2: Reserve Firefighters are assigned to Patrols and receive training to respond to: wildland fires, traffic collisions, incident support, and medical aid emergencies. They may also operate a water tender and/or air utility unit. (Fire Stations: 7, 10, 18, 26, 30)
Wildland Support Unit or Helicopter Support Crew: Wildland Support Unit or Helicopter Support Crew are assigned to Fire Station 26 (Irvine) or Fire Station 41 (Fullerton Airport) and receive training in wildland firefighting and special equipment operations.
Reserve Firefighters must be able to commit to attending mandatory training meetings and weekly station drill nights at their respective stations. Reserve Firefighters also must commit to responding to a minimum of 30% of all pages for response and complete all mandatory training.
More information regarding the position of Reserve Firefighter can be found in Reserve Firefighter Handbook.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application submittal.
- Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at time of appointment. This classification is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program, which periodically provides Risk Management with the incumbent's Driver License record and status.
- Must live within 15 minutes of a Reserve Fire Station or within 45 minutes of a Wildland Support Unit or Helicopter Support Crew Station. (Fire Station 26 or 41)
- Must obtain an Emergency Medical Technician License within 18 months of completion of the Reserve Firefighter Trainee training.
- Must be of good health and pass OCFA's physical requirements.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
- Last day to apply: Sunday, 12/01/2024 at 11:59 PM
- Oral Interviews: 01/01/2025 – 01/31/2025
- Pack Test: Week of 02/17/2025
- Last day to submit Biddle Certificate (for all Level 1 Reserve Applicants): Friday, 02/28/2025
- Offer Letters: Week of 03/03/2025
- Live-Scan, Background Investigation, Pre-Employment Medical Examination: 03/03/2025 – 04/30/2025
- PPE Fitting: TBD
- Expected Hire date: June 2025
Please note, all dates are subject to change based on organizational need. Should a change occur, Human Resources will notify all affected candidates via email.
SELECTION PROCESS:
HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION:
Applicant must submit, during the application filing period, an online application and attach any supplemental information as required in the job announcement which may include submitting responses to a supplemental questionnaire. Online resumés and other unsolicited materials may be attached but will not be considered in lieu of the required online application, unless otherwise specified in the job announcement. The OCFA reserves the right to limit the number of online applications when necessary. Applicants are responsible for maintaining/updating their contact information through the online application system.
The selection process for Reserve Firefighter includes the following:
Application Screening - Pass/Fail
The Human Resources Department reviews all initial application materials to identify qualified applicants. Screening includes verification of Minimum Qualifications and Response Time (15 or 45 minutes).
TESTING:
If a revision is made to a testing component during a recruitment process, the assigned recruiter will notify by email all affected applicants.
Physical Ability Testing - Pass/Fail
See descriptions below on required testing depending on Level requirements.
Panel Interview
Candidates should be prepared to discuss their education, work experience, community involvement, etc.
Background Investigation - Pass/Fail
Candidates selected for further consideration, including alternates, will be referred to a background investigation. The background investigation includes but is not limited to: Department of Justice/FBI criminal background check, employment reference check, and DMV check.
Medical Exam - Pass/Fail
Candidates invited to attend the Reserve Fire Academy must pass a medical exam before beginning the Academy. The medical exam is conducted through the OCFA's designated physician which includes drug and alcohol testing. The initial exam costs are paid by the OCFA.
PHYSICAL ABILITY TESTS:
Candidates must pass a physical ability test as part of the selection process for Reserve Firefighter. The OCFA conducts three different tests depending on the Level requirements:
Level 1 Stations: Biddle Physical Ability Test - This test is comprised of several physical tasks consistent with the duties of a firefighter. This test must be completed within 9 minutes and 34 seconds. Possession of a current Biddle Physical Ability Certificated completed on or after December 1, 2023 WILL be substituted for this portion of the selection process. The OCFA does NOT accept a CPAT in lieu of participation in the Biddle Physical Ability Test. Biddle tests are scheduled and administered through Santa Ana, Rio Hondo, and Mt. San Antonio Community Colleges. All Level 1 candidates must schedule and complete the Biddle Physical Ability Test by February 28, 2025.
For information about the Central Net Training Center (through Santa Ana College), please visit https://www.sac.edu/AcademicProgs/HST/FireTech/Pages/Physical-Ability-Test.aspx
For information about the Rio Hondo College Biddle Examination, please visit https://www.riohondo.edu/public-safety/firetech/fac/testing/
Level 2 Stations: Pack Test (Arduous) - The Pack Test is a 3-mile hike over level terrain carrying a 45 lb. pack within 45 minutes or less. The Pack Test is administered by the OCFA.
Wildland Support Unit and Helicopter Support Crew: Pack Test (Arduous) - The Pack Test is a 3-mile hike over level terrain carrying a 45 lb. pack within 45 minutes or less. The Pack Test is administered by the OCFA.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) ACCOMMODATION:
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, anyone who needs an ADA accommodation for the purposes of employment testing should contact Brad Stephens, Sr. Human Resources Analyst at (714) 573-6816 or bradstephens@ocfa.org at least 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.
RECRUITMENT/SELECTION PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS:
All recruitment/selection process and requirements will be held in accordance with the OCFA's Selection Rules, which are available for inspection in the Human Resources Department.
ELIGIBLE LIST:
The duration of the Eligible List is one (1) year, unless abolished by the Human Resources Director prior to the expiration.
WITHDRAWING FROM RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
If an applicant chooses to withdraw from this recruitment process, they are required to submit an email notification to Julie Kwak, Human Resources Analyst I at juliekwak@ocfa.org and Elie Nguyen, Administrative Assistant at elienguyen@ocfa.org requesting a withdrawal from the process. The email must include the applicant's current phone number.
QUESTIONS:
All questions regarding this position should be directed to Julie Kwak, Human Resources Analyst I at (714) 573-6828 or juliekwak@ocfa.org, and Elie Nguyen, Administrative Assistant at (714) 573-6802 or elienguyen@ocfa.org.
NOTE:
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
The Orange County Fire Authority is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Salary : $15 - $35
Hand Crew Firefighter
Orange County Fire Authority -
CA 92602, CA
