CSFA Volunteer Information

Committee for Volunteers

The Committee for Volunteers provides a resource for the membership dealing with specific problems relative to the volunteer fire service

Recruit, Retain, Network….with your fellow company officers

  • Leadership Skills for Chiefs
  • Management Skills including collecting and reviewing volunteer applications, improving interviewing techniques, evaluating prospects, describing expectations, and motivating new volunteer
  • Retention techniques by anticipating retention challenges, creating a cohesive environment, and rewarding performance with incentive
  • Implementing a local volunteer recruiting campaign

Current CSFA Grant Overview

The California State Firefighters’ Association (CSFA) was awarded $1.99 million for a ‘staffing for adequate fire & emergency response’ (SAFER) grant in November 2018 to help recruit & retain more volunteer firefighters for departments in the state. Click here for the CSFA Chief’s handout concerning the grant.

Recruitment & Retention Took Kits

  • CSFA is providing recruitment and retention kits for eligible volunteer fire departments to consist of 1 36”x 96” vinyl banner, 100 11x17” Posters and 200 6x10” Handouts to assist the department with recruitment and retention efforts in the community.
  • For a complete listing of the different style kits available, click here
  • To apply for your departments FREE materials, click here

Surplus Equipment Program

The CSFA Surplus Equipment Placement Program began in 1984 under the guidelines of CSFA and is administered by the CSFA Committee for Volunteers. If you have or can provide surplus equipment, please contact Dick Brown at rbrown@csfa.net

National Volunteer Fire Council Representative

Your CSFA NVFC representative is Dick Brown (Delegate) Email: dndbrown@caltel.com

DEEMED TO COMPLY: Firefighter Driver Licensing In California

Executive Summary - The issue of proper training, education and qualifications for apparatus operators is a key issue. National statistics have demonstrated time after time that apparatus accidents are a leading cause of firefighter injury and fatality. This document is being provided to the volunteer fire service as a tool to assure high quality consideration for apparatus operators who are chauffeuring emergency vehicles under emergency conditions. The document consists of a problem statement, documents from the DMV, and documents from the State Fire Marshal's Office, samples of program activity in the field and a recommended course of action by a local fire chief.

CSFA Volunteer Firefighters’ Length of Service Award Program

Sponsored by the California State Firefighters’ Employee Welfare Benefits Corporation (CSFEWBC). Recognizing those who serve. The Volunteer Firefighters Length of Service Award Program offers fire departments and districts the opportunity to recognize and financially reward firefighters for their years of dedicated service.  Send email to CSFA VLSA here:  vflsa@csfa.net

Download the VFLSA Presentation here (PDF) or you can view it online here.

Live Fire Training


CSFA is actively working with SAFER grant funding to enhance the recruiting and retention efforts for the California fire service. In Fall 2018 CSFA was awarded their 4th statewide SAFER grant. This 4-year grant award will provide live fire training courses to volunteer firefighters throughout California. There is no cost for these courses. Departments will need to enroll their volunteers and get them to and from the event. Sixteen (four per year) 2-day live fire training courses geared towards the specifications for Fire Control 3 certification will take place across California. Burn buildings and trailers will be rented and facilitated by experienced instructors in locations that will provide convenience for participation.  Download the flyer here!

At most locations we contract with the Kelseyville Fire Protection district to utilize their live burn trailer. To learn more about what to expect with this trailer visit the Kelseyville website here.

Please contact Chris Barron with any questions regarding Live Fire Training.

2021 Live Fire Training Schedule

February 20-21
Williams, CA

April 3-4
Arcata, CA

April 24-25
Susanville, CA

May 1-2
Bishop, CA

May 15-16
Yermo, CA

Sign up for Live Fire Training Here

Download the Flyer Here

Firefighter Health Physical & PPE

  • Each firefighter enrolled in a volunteer fire department after November 2018 is eligible to receive $450 toward a NFPA 1582 firefighter physical
  • Each firefighter enrolled in a volunteer fire department after November 2018 is eligible to receive $2500 toward bunker gear set for free as long as he/she has passed the firefighter physical
  • To apply for your department’s physical and PPE program reimbursement, click here.

CSFA Fireline

Your go-to website for becoming a Volunteer in California.

Volunteer Survey

A perpetual online survey to continually gauge the pulse of California’s Volunteer Fire Service. The CSFA Committee for Volunteers is responsible for updating and collecting this survey data.

Volunteer Accident & Medical Plan

CSFEWBC has partnered with Provident Insurance to provide California volunteers with the best Accident & Health plans in the state. Provident offers a 10% discount on rates to all CSFA members. They have been insuring firefighters and their families since 1928. A variety of plan designs are available to volunteer departments.