The Los Osos Community Services District is nearing the end of a recruitment period for reserve firefighters and the deadline to apply is tomorrow.
The LOCSD’s Sta. 15 (managed by the County Fire/Cal Fire Department, is hiring firefighter reserves to supplement the station’s compliment of fulltime firefighters. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22. You have to also provide a current and valid DMV report with your application.
They will give preference to “applicants who are current San Luis Obispo County Paid-Call/Reserve Firefighters and/or proof of accredited Firefighter 1 Academy completion.”
Reservists are expected to cover two, 12-hour shifts per month, the department said, attend required training and drills, and return for emergency call backs at Sta. 15 (the South Bay Fire Station) on Bayview Heights Drive.
Get applications and more information in person at the stationhouse, located at 2315 Bayview Heights Dr., Los Osos or online at: www.losososcsd.org/hiring-reserve-firefighters.
The hiring process includes a firefighter physical agility test (details with the application packets), and an oral interview. The final test is a background check. Reserve firefighters are paid to respond to a call out during emergencies or when there are multiple, simultaneous calls. They also sub for a regular firefighter during vacations, sick leave, training or other absences. Experienced reservists sometimes also respond to wildfires in the state as part of multi-engine strike teams.
With the highly competitive nature of the fire service, being a reserve firefighter can help you get in the door to a full time career, along with paramedic training, scholarships for which are often available through local nonprofits. Most fire departments give high consideration to applicants from the reserve corps.
Call Cal Fire Sta. 15 at (805) 528-1053 with questions.
