Announcement
The City of Chico Fire Department has decided to reduce the number of volunteers in our Company One Volunteer Fire Department, and therefore, will not be recruiting until 2010. If your CalOpps profile includes Fire positions, you will be notified at the time a recruitment is opened.
Please contact the Human Resources and Risk Management Office at 530-879-7900 or hrrm@ci.chico.ca.us if you have any questions. We appreciate your patience and your interest in the City of Chico.
Company One
The City has had volunteer firefighters continuously since its founding in 1873. The current volunteer fire company consists of 6 Volunteer Lieutenants and 19 Volunteer Firefighters. They are automatically radio dispatched to larger scale emergencies such as confirmed structure fires, aircraft crashes or train wrecks, and major rescues. They may be requested for other emergencies at any time.
Volunteer Firefighters become members through a process managed by the City Human Resources Office. Testing typically consists of a pass/fail Physical Agility Test similar to that of the full time personnel, and an oral interview. A list is then established for use by the Department. There is normally a waiting list to get onto Company 1. Tests are usually given every 12-24 months.
Company 1 drills are held twice monthly on the first and third Tuesday evenings of each month. Special drills, including live fire burns, are often held on weekends. Personnel are trained to State Certification standards including Firefighter I, Firefighter II, First Responder EMS, CPR, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Confined Space Awareness, and Swiftwater Rescue Awareness. Many Company 1 members are certified at higher levels. Company 1 members are allowed to participate in any drills that the permanent employees attend and are required to ride along on an engine at least 24 hours annually.
Company 1 members are provided all required personal protective gear, a radio pager, and Worker's Compensation Insurance. Volunteer Firefighters receive a $75.00 per month stipend to cover out-of-pocket expenses and a $21.00 stipend for drills or special assignments. A deduction of $10.00 is made if no calls are responded to in a month or for not attending a drill during the month. Volunteer Firefighters are enrolled in the PERS Volunteer Length of Service Award program which provides a small monthly award at retirement in recognition of their service.
A recent multi-company drill with Butte County Fire Department Company 42 volunteer firefighters at the Chico Municipal Airport. Pictured in the rear of the photo is the City's new Crash Rescue 3, a 4x4 1500 gallon aircraft rescue firefighting vehicle.