Promotion to Probationary Firefighter
Firefighter trainees who graduate from the OCFA's Basic Fire Academy will be promoted as full-time sworn probationary firefighters. Probationary firefighters serve a probation period of 52 weeks. During probation, firefighters must successfully pass a 6-month and 12-month exam including manipulative skills tests, plus meet the job requirements for firefighters. Firefighters who possess a valid Emergency Medical Technician certificate from the State of California receive emergency medical technician pay, which is 5% of top step pay for firefighters. Educational incentive pay is also available to firefighters under the same criteria for firefighter trainees.
Firefighters work 24-hour shifts, but may be assigned to staff positions, such as training and arson investigations, under a 9/80 work schedule. Firefighters are regularly scheduled to work an average of ten (24-hour) shifts per month. The OCFA offers specialty pay to firefighters who qualify and perform special duties. Specialty pay includes, but is not limited to, paramedic pay, bilingual pay, hazardous materials pay, aircraft rescue firefighter pay, urban search and rescue pay, and staff assignment pay.