Los Angeles burns. Your community needs you.

Southern California Wildfire Response (SCWR) is recruiting volunteer firefighters to defend WUI communities across the Santa Monica Mountains, San Fernando Valley, and neighboring areas. No fire experience required — only the commitment to show up, train hard, and serve.

About the Role

As a Los Angeles Volunteer Firefighter with SCWR, you’ll respond to wildland fires, technical rescues, and all-hazard emergencies throughout Southern California as part of a Type 6 engine crew. You’ll train regularly at SCWR’s dedicated 45-acre training ground in the Santa Monica Mountains, maintain equipment, and take on community preparedness work between calls.

Apply Here

What You Gain

  • Nationally recognized NWCG and FEMA certifications — S-130/S-190, ICS-100/200, Firefighter Type I & II (Red Card)
  • Hands-on emergency response experience inside a credentialed incident command structure
  • Access to SCWR’s dedicated 45-acre training facility
  • A community of mission-driven first responders
  • A verified service record supporting career progression in fire service, emergency management, or public safety

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Respond to wildland fire, technical rescues, medical aid, and all-hazard incidents in the WUI and surrounding communities
  • Operate and maintain SCWR’s engines and associated equipment to agency standards
  • Perform fire suppression tasks: hose lays, mop-up, hand line construction, structure protection
  • Participate in scheduled training drills, NIMS/ICS exercises, and certification courses
  • Conduct community outreach, public education, and fire prevention activities
  • Maintain personal protective equipment (PPE) in serviceable condition
  • Support incident documentation, after-action reviews, and field reporting as directed
  • Follow SCWR’s chain of command, standard operating guidelines (SOGs), and safety protocols

Minimum Qualifications

  • Age 18 or older at time of application
  • Valid California driver’s license in good standing
  • No felony convictions
  • Ability to pass a background check
  • Ability to pass a physical fitness assessment prior to field deployment
  • No prior firefighting experience required — SCWR provides all entry-level training

Physical Demands

Wildland firefighting is physically demanding. You’ll need to be able to:

  • Perform strenuous physical labor in extreme heat, smoke, and difficult terrain
  • Carry and operate equipment weighing up to 50 lbs for extended periods
  • Work extended shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays — especially during fire season
  • Pass the pack test or equivalent agency fitness standard before live incident deployment

Time Commitment & Scheduling

  • 12–20 hours per week for training, drills, and organizational activities
  • 24/7 on-call availability for emergency response
  • Increased availability expected during peak wildfire season (May–November)
  • Training held in the Santa Monica Mountains, with field locations across the San Fernando Valley

Training & Certification Pathway

SCWR takes you from recruit to certified firefighter at no cost:

  • S-130/S-190 Firefighter Training & Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (NWCG)
  • ICS-100 and ICS-200 (FEMA/NIMS Incident Command System)
  • CPR/First Aid certification
  • Firefighter Type I & II (Red Card)
  • Ongoing in-service training, live-fire exercises, and field operations on SCWR’s wildland engines and equipment

How to Apply

Submit your application at: https://apply.socalwildfire.org

Qualified applicants will be contacted for an initial interview and fitness assessment. SCWR is an equal opportunity organization and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds. This is an unpaid volunteer position.