About the Cal-JAC

The California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC) is a joint labor-management partnership between California Professional Firefighters and the California State Fire Marshal and is the established leader in recruitment, outreach and standardized training for firefighters in California. 

Cal-JAC has worked to develop a workforce that is not only equipped to face the ever-evolving demands of the profession, but also one that reflects the diversity seen across the state.

What is the Cal-JAC Academy?

The Cal-JAC Academy is a pre-apprenticeship program, designed to remove barriers to entry and provide a direct path toward the fire service for qualified candidates who also demonstrated economic need.

The program provides an opportunity to qualifying cadets to earn their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic course completion certificate as a step toward a career in the fire service. 

In addition to obtaining the skills required of a nationally registered EMT or Paramedic, academy cadets will physically train for the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), receive preparatory instruction for the Cal-JAC written exam, and hone their interview skills through the guidance of a firefighter mentor.  

All graduating cadets will also be added to FCTC’s Statewide Eligibility List, which is used by fire departments throughout California that are looking to hire.