Reserve Firefighter

Reserve Firefighter is the entry-level position in which incumbents receive training and experience in fire prevention and suppression techniques.  Reserve Firefighters respond to emergency and non-emergency calls to prevent or extinguish fires and to protect life and property including rescue and salvage operations.  Incumbents are also responsible for cleaning, maintaining and repairing fire department property and equipment.

For more information about the job classification visit: Reserve Firefighter (#8136).

Reserve Firefighter FAQs

What is the time commitment of a Reserve Firefighter?

Generally, a Reserve Firefighter is expected to participate in the Reserve program anywhere from 12 -24 hours per month, depending upon the level of the reserve. This time commitment includes attendance at the general meeting, training, equipment and vehicle maintenance, participation in public education events and responding to emergencies when requested.

Additionally, Reserve Firefighters are expected to ride with assigned career fire companies for 24 hours each quarter.

Is there a residence requirement?

Reserve firefighters must be residents of Alameda County or live within 50 travel miles of 6363 Clark Avenue, Dublin, CA 94568.

What if I have no formal fire service training?

No formal fire service training is necessary, please review the job bulletin for detailed minimum qualifications.

Do I need to have CPAT to apply?

No, but you must maintain a valid CPAT once you have been placed in the reserve program.

What date will interviews be held?

You are welcome to review the job announcement for any tentatively scheduled dates, please note that there will be no make-up interview dates.

If I qualify for the Reserve Academy, what are the attendance requirements?

The absence policy is strictly adhered to: a maximum of three excused absences are allowed. Most classes take place on Wednesday evenings and all day Sunday.

What is the class schedule for the Academy?

The schedule is not set. We hope to have a draft of the class schedule when the interviews take place.

NOTE:  The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Participates in the assigned Alameda County Fire Reserve Program meetings and training (didactic and manipulative exercises).
2. Takes part in education and training to develop awareness of the functions and responsibilities of Firefighter Recruit/Firefighter.
3. Actively participates in the Alameda County Fire Department Public Education Program.
4. Responds to emergency and non-emergency incidents to assist professional firefighters.
5. Cleans and maintains station quarters, classroom, grounds, apparatus and equipment.
6. Participates in the ride-along program.

License:  

Possession of a valid California State Motor Vehicle Operator’s License by the date of appointment.

Special Requirement:  

Will be required to successfully pass a background investigation.  

Reserve Trainees and Reserve Firefighters are required to maintain a current Candidate Physical Agility Test (CPAT).  

Age:    

Must be at least 18 years of age by the date of appointment.  

Physical:   

Will be required to successfully pass a medical examination (NFPA 1582) prior to attending the ACFD Reserve Academy.  

Residency:  

Must live within Alameda County or 50 miles travel distance to the Alameda County Fire Department Administrative Headquarters, located at 6363 Clark Avenue, Dublin, CA  94568, by the last day for filing of the application.   

Certification:  

If you are in possession of a NREMT certification at the time of application, you must be California EMSA accredited by time of appointment.   

Must obtain a Firefighter I certification and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) I certification within two (2) years of entry into the Reserve Program. 

NOTE:    The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies: 

Knowledge of:

• Basic construction, fire chemistry, physics and automotive mechanics.
• Common office practices including filing, indexing and cross-reference methods.  

Ability to:

• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Read, comprehend and remember training materials.
• Deal effectively with the public and co-workers under circumstances requiring presence of mind, sensitivity, interest and understanding.
• Adapt to changes in work assignments and duties.
• Write clear, concise and complete reports.
• Perform physical tasks that require coordination, strength, dexterity and stamina.
• Communicate effectively and clearly both orally and in writing.

Complete application packets will be reviewed by the Alameda County Fire Department to verify the announced minimum requirements. Those applicants who submit a complete application and supplemental questionnaire and who are determined to meet the announced requirements will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process, an oral interview administered by the Alameda County Fire Department.

Successful candidates who are selected after the interview process will then be offered a voluntary position within the Alameda County Reserve Program.

The names of those candidates not selected after the oral panel interviews will remain on file with the department for future appointment considerations or at least until the next special recruitment administration for Alameda County Fire Department Reserve Firefighter.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work. To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Applicants will be informed via e-mail with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN

  WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN.

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

This is a voluntary position with no pay or benefits.

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org, @jobaps.com, NoReply@jobaps.com, and NoReplyAlamedaCountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email boxes Noreply@acgov.org and NoReplyAlamedaCountyHR@acgov.org are routed to unmonitored mailboxes. All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions, please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law.  Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect.  Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.