CAL-JAC
Cal-JAC Firefighter Career Expos
Empowering the next generation of firefighters through recruitment events
This past year, over 1,000 candidates lined up at Firefighter Candidate Testing Centers (FCTC) across the state to learn more about what it takes to pursue a career in the fire service.
The California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC), in partnership with FCTC, held four Firefighter Career Expos, two in Northern California and two in Southern California, to continue their work of enhancing the fire service through recruitment and training events. This year’s candidate and department attendance hit record numbers since the event’s inception in 2007.
“Firefighter Career Expos give men and women the chance to meet face-to-face with recruiters and gain insight on navigating through the department’s hiring process,” said Yvonne de la Peña, executive director of the Cal-JAC. “Whether they’re interested in learning more about the fire service or well on their way in the hiring process, we hold multiple events around the state to ensure candidates from different communities are represented and can benefit.”
In addition to meeting with recruiters, attendees can try the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) course, learn how to prepare for FCTC’s Written Test and get a firsthand look at "A Day in the Life of a Firefighter." All candidates and their families attend these events at no cost and are provided with a complimentary meal.
The Cal-JAC works to diversify the fire service so that firefighters better represent the communities they serve, and this past year over 60% of candidates who attended the Career Expos were of minority background. These events were established with the Cal-JAC’s mission in mind–to help provide individuals from underserved communities a clearer pathway into the fire service.
“When you see someone who looks like you doing the job, you visualize yourself doing the job as well,” said Jenna Graham, a Fire Captain Paramedic with Mountain View Fire Department and member of the Cal-JAC Women’s Commission. “Firefighter Career Expos help inspire young men and women to believe that this career is a possibility for them.”
Cal-JAC and FCTC will continue their Firefighter Career Expos starting on March 21st, 2020 in Livermore. For more information on future Career Expos, visit caljac.org.