Fire Department · Career
Chula Vista Fire Department
Chula Vista, CA · San Diego County
The Chula Vista Fire Department (CVFD) serves the South Bay city of Chula Vista, one of the largest cities in San Diego County. Founded in 1921 when the city's population was around 1,700, it has grown into a full-service department protecting roughly 275,000 residents across more than 52 square miles.
CVFD operates approximately nine to ten fire stations, with additional stations planned under the department's Fire Facility Master Plan. Its front-line fleet includes eight engines, two trucks, a Heavy Rescue vehicle and a brush engine.
The department responds to on the order of 15,000 to 23,000 emergency and non-emergency calls each year. The great majority are medical (about 85%), with the remainder split between fire suppression and hazardous materials, rescue and public-assistance calls.
CVFD maintains a dedicated training facility with a four-story training tower used for fire suppression, heavy rescue, rappelling, ladder work and high-angle rescue, plus a classroom for urban search and rescue, disaster preparedness and hazmat instruction. It is among the few U.S. departments with an urban search and rescue dog.
CVFD hires primarily at the entry level through its Fire Recruit program. To be considered, candidates must be on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List (see FCTConline.org) and hold a current CPAT certificate. Selected recruits attend the department's roughly five-month Fire Recruit Academy as trainee-level, non-sworn employees on a 40-hour workweek, then promote to Firefighter or Firefighter/Paramedic on graduation.
Recruitments open periodically rather than continuously (a recent Fire Recruit window ran June 30 through July 14, 2025). Applications are handled through the City of Chula Vista's GovernmentJobs careers portal.
Requirements
- At least 18 years of age at time of application
- Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade (high school diploma/GED); Associate's degree in Fire Science/Science/Technology highly desirable
- Valid California or National Registry EMT or EMT-P certification at time of application
- Valid Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (CPR-BCH) certificate at time of application
- Valid California Class C Driver's License and acceptable driving record at time of appointment
- Current CPAT certificate dated within one year of the application deadline
- Must be on the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) Statewide Eligibility List
- Highly desirable: Firefighter I & II certifications, San Diego County EMT/EMT-P accreditation, current ACLS card
Hiring process
- Get on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List and complete CPAT (via FCTConline.org)
- Submit application during an open Fire Recruit filing period
- Application review and screening
- Oral board interviews
- Background investigation
- Medical and psychological evaluations
- Appointment and start of the Fire Recruit Academy
Benefits
Fire Recruits are represented by the Association of Chula Vista Employees (ACE). Upon promotion to sworn Firefighter or Firefighter/Paramedic, members are represented by IAFF Local 2180. A 12-month probationary period applies after promotion.
Recruits attend the department's approximately five-month Fire Recruit Academy as trainee-level, non-sworn employees on a 40-hour workweek, covering EMS, rescue, hazmat, apparatus operation, technical rescue, driver training and fire prevention/suppression; graduation and passing all competency evaluations are required for promotion.
How do I become a firefighter with Chula Vista?
CVFD hires entry-level Fire Recruits. You must first be on the FCTC Statewide Eligibility List and hold a current CPAT certificate, then apply during an open Fire Recruit filing period through the City's GovernmentJobs careers portal.
What certifications do I need to apply?
At time of application you need a valid California or National Registry EMT or EMT-P certification, a Basic Life Support (CPR-BCH) certificate, and a CPAT certificate dated within one year of the deadline. A California Class C license is required at appointment.
How long is the academy and how does promotion work?
Selected Fire Recruits attend the department's roughly five-month Fire Recruit Academy as non-sworn, 40-hour-per-week trainees. On graduating and passing all competency evaluations, they promote to Firefighter or Firefighter/Paramedic, followed by a 12-month probationary period.
What does the job pay?
Fire Recruits earn about $4,917.92-$5,977.75 per month during the academy. After promotion, Firefighters earn roughly $6,538.89-$8,345.46 per month and Firefighter/Paramedics earn more.
Does Chula Vista hire lateral firefighters?
The advertised path is the entry-level Fire Recruit program through the FCTC process; lateral hiring is not indicated in the recruit posting.
How often does Chula Vista open firefighter recruitments?
Recruitments open periodically rather than continuously. A recent Fire Recruit filing window ran June 30 through July 14, 2025. Watch the City's Fire Department jobs page for the next opening.
Past postings, kept for reference. These are no longer accepting applications.