Fire Services
Operations Division
Career as a Firefighter
The Turlock City Fire Department is currently staffed by professional firefighters who have chosen a career in the fire service. The firefighter classification is the entry level position in the professional firefighter series. In addition to fighting fires, the firefighter must deal with a wide range of emergency situations, including natural disasters, civil disturbances, and medical emergencies. To handle these emergencies effectively requires a great deal of training and practice. The professional firefighter will study the science of fire and hydraulics, rescue, emergency medicine, ventilation, salvage and overhaul, hose, rope and ladder procedures, and forcible entry. The firefighter will perform all of this training and practice under direct supervision of a higher ranking Turlock City Fire Employee.
If you are interested in becoming a firefighter, the first step is to visit the City of Turlock’s
Administrative Services at 156 S. Broadway, Suite 230. There you will be able to pick up a job description and fill out an interest card for any of our positions. You may also view job descriptions and fill out interest cards on
this website.
Firefighter Requirements
- Have a high school diploma or the equivalent
- Be at least 18 years of age at the time of final filing of application
- Pass the written entry level test
- Pass medical examination
- Possess a valid Class C California driver’s license
- Pass an oral interview conducted by selection committee
- Pass a thorough background investigation
- Possess a valid E.M.T. certificate
- Possess a Firefighter I Certificate of Completion approved by the California Fire Service Training and Education System or a California Firefighter I Certification issues by the California State Fire Marshal at time of application or proof of academy completion.
- Possess a Candidate Physical Agility Test (CPAT) Card, issued within 6 months of the application deadline for a position with the City of Turlock.
Reserve Division
The Reserve program is a professional organization that has been serving the community since the days of the horse-drawn fire engines.
The Reserve Division is a multi-faceted program designed to cater to anyone who is over eighteen with a Firefighter One Certificate issued by the State of California. Whether looking for a career in the Fire Service or just wanting to become part of the brotherhood of Firefighters serving the community, Turlock City Fire Department is a great organization.
The regular Reserves are a very well trained group of men and women who give their time to respond to emergencies such as structure and commercial fires, vehicle fires and accidents, nuisance fires and hazardous material incidents. They are required to train a minimum of twice a month and many certifications are available through our department.
Within the Reserve Division is our Resident program. This program is designed to allow individuals who are not residents of Turlock to participate in the Reserve program. In this program, we train men and women who have their Firefighter One Certificate (and pass an interview, physical agility test and a background test) to our standards and allow them to pull ten shifts a month as an addition to the paid personnel on our engines. We currently have twenty-three active Residents on our roster traveling from as far away as Fresno and Oakland.
As you can see, the Turlock City Fire Department has many opportunities for men and women of all ages. The only common denominator is good health and a strong desire to help the community. If you think you have what it takes, please visit the City’s Administrative Services department and fill out an interest card.
