Cal-JAC’s Pre-APPRENTICESHIP EMT Academy: Stronger Communities, a Commitment to Diversity
In 2018, the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC) gained statewide attention as it launched the first ever firefighter pre-apprenticeship model in California — the Cal-JAC Pre-Apprenticeship EMT Academy.
The Cal-JAC Academy program provides qualifying candidates with demonstrated financial need the opportunity to earn their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate and a place on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center’s Statewide Eligibility List at no cost as the first step toward a career in the fire service. The Cal-JAC Pre-Apprenticeship EMT Academy is designed to remove barriers to entry and provide a direct path toward the fire service for candidates with demonstrated economic need.
“The end goal is to ensure that fire departments have a diverse pool of quality candidates working throughout the state of California,” said Yvonne de la Peña, Executive Director of Cal-JAC. “We’re working to eliminate barriers to give individuals the opportunities and resources to pursue a career in fire service, who might not otherwise have the means.”
During the rigorous and comprehensive six-month program, cadets accepted into the program will also physically train for the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), receive preparatory instruction for the Cal-JAC written exam, complete both tests and hone their interview skills with guidance from a firefighter mentor. All books, supplies, uniforms, courses, test fees, childcare and transportation costs are covered through the program as a means to offset the costs and stressors that can play a role in an individual’s ability to pursue a firefighter profession.
A pioneer in working to diversify the fire service, Cal-JAC and its partner agencies launched extensive outreach and recruitment efforts to identify economic and social-economic barriers that limit an individual’s probability of pursuing a career in fire service. From their findings, the solution of a tuition-free firefighter pre-apprenticeship training model came to fruition – a model that has set the gold standard for apprenticeship models statewide.
“When I came into the Cal-JAC Academy, I had no experience at all and I wouldn’t be here today without Cal-JAC,” said Julie Vang, Sacramento Fire Department’s first Hmong female firefighter and Cal-JAC Academy 18-1 Graduate. “I hope to inspire those from disadvantaged backgrounds, especially women of color, to see that they can do it too.”
In 2022, the Cal-JAC launched its third wave of the Cal-JAC Academy to continue its efforts of building a stronger, more diverse fire service that represents the communities they serve and is working to establish a similar paramedic pre-apprenticeship academy training model.
For more information on the Cal-JAC Pre-Apprenticeship Academy program, visit caljacacademy.org