About
About the Cal-JAC
The California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC) is a joint labor-management partnership between California Professional Firefighters and the California State Fire Marshal — the established leader in recruitment, outreach and standardized training for firefighters in California.
Cal-JAC has worked to develop a workforce that is not only equipped to face the ever-evolving demands of the profession, but one that reflects the diversity seen across the state.
A direct path into the fire service — built to remove barriers and open the profession to more people.
What is the Cal-JAC Academy?
The Cal-JAC Academy is a pre-apprenticeship program, designed to remove barriers to entry and provide a direct path toward the fire service for qualified candidates who also demonstrate economic need.
The program gives qualifying cadets the opportunity to earn their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic course completion certificate as a step toward a career in the fire service.
In addition to obtaining the skills required of a nationally registered EMT or Paramedic, academy cadets physically train for the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), receive preparatory instruction for the Cal-JAC written exam, and hone their interview skills through the guidance of a firefighter mentor.
After graduation
All graduating cadets are added to the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List — used by fire departments throughout California that are looking to hire.
175+
CA departments hire from the list
Explore the two academies: