Fire Department · Combination
Avalon Fire Department
Avalon, CA · Los Angeles County
The Avalon Fire Department serves the City of Avalon and greater Catalina Island, an isolated community reachable only by boat or air roughly 22 miles off the Southern California coast. It has protected residents and visitors since the city incorporated in 1913, providing fire, rescue, and emergency medical response.
The department is staffed by 11 full-time professional firefighters and a 30-member reserve firefighting staff, with all personnel required to be full-time island residents. Day to day it runs a single three-member engine company handling both fire suppression and Basic Life Support/EMS calls; Advanced Life Support is provided under contract by Los Angeles County Fire/Baywatch paramedics.
The service area is unusually demanding for a department this size: about 3 square miles of city within a 76-square-mile island of rugged terrain and 55 miles of coastline. Roughly 4,000 year-round residents balloon with over a million annual visitors, and the department answers just under 1,000 calls a year while coordinating mutual aid with Avalon Harbor Patrol, LA County Fire/Baywatch, and the LA County Sheriff's Search and Rescue.
MissionPreserve life, property and the environment through leadership, management and actions, as an all risk life safety response provider.
Avalon's most accessible entry point is its Volunteer Reserve Firefighter program. Reserves must live permanently on the island, pass a physical exam and drug screening, hold California State Fire Marshal Volunteer Firefighter certification, and be trained as an EMT, First Responder, or EMR. Reserve drills run every other Tuesday evening, and reserves receive a nominal bi-weekly stipend.
Because the island setting requires all firefighters to be full-time residents, prospective candidates should contact the department directly. Fire Chief Michael Alegria (malegria@cityofavalon.com) handles inquiries about the reserve program and pathways into the department.
Requirements
- Must reside permanently on Catalina Island (all firefighters must be full-time Avalon residents)
- Pass a physical examination
- Pass a drug screening
- Hold California State Fire Marshal Volunteer Firefighter certification
- Be trained as an Emergency Medical Technician, First Responder, or EMR
Hiring process
- Contact Fire Chief Michael Alegria to inquire about the program
- Complete a physical examination and drug screening
- Obtain California State Fire Marshal Volunteer Firefighter certification and EMT/First Responder/EMR training
- Attend reserve drills held every other Tuesday evening
Benefits
Volunteer Reserve Firefighters are paid a nominal bi-weekly stipend. On-duty staff train daily across a range of disciplines.
How do I become a firefighter with Avalon Fire Department?
The main entry point is the Volunteer Reserve Firefighter program. Contact Fire Chief Michael Alegria at malegria@cityofavalon.com to inquire, then complete the physical, drug screening, and required certifications.
Do I have to live on Catalina Island?
Yes. All Avalon firefighters, including reserves, are required to be full-time permanent island residents.
What certifications do I need to apply?
Reserves must hold California State Fire Marshal Volunteer Firefighter certification and be trained as an EMT, First Responder, or EMR.
Is the reserve position paid?
Volunteer Reserve Firefighters receive a nominal bi-weekly stipend rather than a full salary.
What is the work schedule?
On-duty crews work a three-platoon Kelly Schedule, and reserve drills are held every other Tuesday evening at 17:00.
What kind of calls does the department handle?
The department responds to just under 1,000 calls a year across fire suppression, wildland fire, BLS/EMS, and rescue including SCUBA diving-related emergencies, with ALS provided by contracted LA County Fire/Baywatch paramedics.