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It really depends on the department. My department does not require a fire academy prior to hiring because we will put you through a 16 week academy. We only hire paramedics so that is more important.Some departments require Firefighter 1 academy to be hired. Most of the time these are smaller departments that don't hire enough people or have the money and facilities to have their own academy.Even if there isn't a requirement for fire academy it is a good idea to attend one. Although it seems like 16 weeks is a long time the pace in quite rapid. If you come into our academy without ever complete a fire academy it can be difficult to keep. You usually on get one retake on test or skills check before you are released from the academy and your job.Where you attend academy is not necessarily that important. California is unusually in that most academies are not IFSAC or Pro Board so it can create problems when going to another state. State Fire Marshall is just starting to get IFSAC certification that will probably change soon. Also many academies run mock interview sessions that will help you prepare for the interview portion of the hiring process.The best thing to do is start applying to department that you meet the qualifications for. Minimum for every department in California is pretty much having an EMT card. So if you don't have that done go to it first. Most of the community colleges in the Bay Area have a program. I here Chabot in Hayward an Mission in an Jose are pretty good.I would apply in both California and Oregon. Maybe even Nevada. It's competitive everywhere. As you take test you will get better at them and be more likely to get hired. Consider applying to Cal Fire for a seasonal next year. This year's hiring process is close. Applications are usually opened in January.If there is a volunteer department in your area contact them to see what you need to do to volunteer. This is a great way to learn on the job. Volunteer depts. are usually always looking for people.Good luck. It truly is a great job.

While the “actual” is in quotes it reads like it's invoking the stereotype of volunteer fire departments being under equipped, undertrained and incompetent emergency services. However I'll give my take on it. The difference between a call/volunteer or what I call a career department. Is that to be hired on a career department you will need to obtain various certifications to meet the state and municipal requirements to work as a career firefighter. These programs may be offered by universities, state or municipally run fire academies or even perhaps private companies. These academies and programs are modeled after several governmental and non governmental standardization agencies. Such as the NFPA, IAFF, IAFC, OSHA/NIOSH, the NREMT, IFSAC and pro board certification boards. All of these agencies allow for governing bodies to model their emergency services programs based on their documentation and standards and laws. All of these alphabet soup entities collectively create what amount to guidelines for what a person who has completed the above trainings and standards and is expected to be able to perform the tasks and skills that they have been trained to perform. So many towns and cities that want to increase things like ISO (insurance ratings). They use standards and certifications to ensure that their employees are trained to a standard set forth by the emergency services industry. While there is an argument to be made that certifications aren't a perfect substitute for hands on experience and institutional knowledge. The above mentioned entities provide a solid ground floor for a vast dynamic and multi-faceted public service that involves peoples lives their property and environmental protection. These groups also have the finances to perform studies and tests that work to reduce line of duty deaths and close call incidents by emergency services personnel. Now that's out of the way I think that there are several reasons that people discredit volunteer public safety agencies. One reason is that in some of these municipalities they may be either rural or small towns that have low call volume. This makes it difficult for those on the department to get hands on and real world experience. Which can be partially corrected by lots of quality training. However this can be difficult for logistics reasons and personal reasons. To commit to all of these certifications, attend calls, go to training and maintain a physical and mental state of readiness for an emergency is very taxing on a body no matter who you are. Because of this some towns that cannot maintain an adequate force to provide fire protection and emergency medical services may allow the requirements for volunteering to be fairly lax and let people that are incapable of successfully handling fire and medical emergencies. It takes an incredible amount of dedication to be competent in emergency services. And if you're working a full time paid and a volunteer you may let the volunteering slip because that doesn't pay the bills. Also unless you're staying at the station while volunteering and you have to drive from home or from your work place when something is on fire seconds count. And survival rates from cardiac arrest drop precipitously the longer some one is without oxygen and blood flow. Running an efficient and professional fire department presents numerous hurdles and obstacles that are part of larger factors at play in the world like rural emigration, demographics changing, financial costs and motivation for service in a world that is becoming increasingly transactional. “Actual fire departments" is a relative term because it really depends on how knowledgeable and experienced those that dedicate their time to the craft is. Professional departments always have that one guy that they call a “pension theif" or the boss they call “chief lucky test". Regardless of where you are and who you work for if you're on a fire truck and an ambulance. You better be ready to act and help those people and give it your best.