Fire Department · Career
Central Fire Protection District of Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz, CA · Santa Cruz County
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Department careers page ↗Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County traces its roots to a 1981 Joint Powers Agreement between the Live Oak and Soquel Fire Districts, which took effect in 1984 as the Central Fire Protection District; Capitola Fire District joined in 1987. A parallel merger of the Aptos and La Selva Beach fire districts formed the Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District in 1986. The two agencies came together for good in February 2021, creating the present-day Central Fire District. Today the district covers about 55 square miles and roughly 90,500 year-round residents (with seasonal increases in summer) across Aptos, Capitola, La Selva Beach, Live Oak, Rio Del Mar, and Soquel, operating out of seven fire stations plus an administrative office, training headquarters, and fleet services facility.
Crews respond to structure and wildland fires, emergency medical calls, water and surf rescues, hazardous materials incidents, and technical rescues, backed by dedicated Community Risk Reduction, Fire Investigation, Training, and Fleet Services divisions. A five-member publicly elected Board of Directors, serving staggered four-year terms, sets district policy.
Central Fire builds its workforce through both full-time hiring and its Paid Call Firefighter program, which brings part-time, community-based firefighters through a district-run academy. Aspiring firefighters typically need FCTC written-exam certification and a current CPAT card before applying, and the district keeps a careers email list for recruitment announcements.
MissionThe Mission of Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County is to preserve quality of life for the citizens and visitors of the communities we serve by protecting lives, property, and the environment through emergency response, community risk reduction, and education.
Central Fire District hires both full-time firefighters and part-time Paid Call Firefighters, who serve the community on an as-needed basis alongside career staff. Candidates for either track need FCTC written-exam certification and a current CPAT card, and Paid Call applicants must also hold BLS certification, live in Santa Cruz County, and complete the district's own Paid Call Firefighter Academy within 12 months of hire. A Paid Call Firefighter recruitment is scheduled to open July 15, 2026 and close September 15, 2026; interested candidates can join the district's Careers email list for future openings.
Requirements
- FCTC (Firefighter Candidate Testing Center) written exam certification
- Current CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) certification
- At least 18 years old
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Valid California Class C driver's license
- Current BLS (Basic Life Support) certification (Paid Call)
- EMT certification (for Paid Call positions)
- Residency within Santa Cruz County (Paid Call)
- Pass district-provided physical exam, drug screening, and background investigation
- Proof of eligibility to work in the United States
Hiring process
- Obtain FCTC written-exam certification
- Pass the CPAT physical ability test
- Apply during an open recruitment window
- Complete a district-provided physical exam, drug screening, and background investigation
- Complete the Central Fire Paid Call Firefighter Academy within 12 months of hire (Paid Call track)
New Paid Call Firefighter recruits complete a probationary Paid Call Firefighter Academy run by the district within their first 12 months, training under professional department leadership before responding to calls.
How do I become a firefighter with Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County?
Candidates need FCTC written-exam certification and a current CPAT card before applying during an open recruitment window. The district also runs a Paid Call Firefighter program with its own academy for part-time community firefighters.
Does Central Fire District hire Paid Call (part-time) Firefighters?
Yes. The district's Paid Call Firefighter program brings on part-time firefighters who live in Santa Cruz County, hold BLS certification, and complete a district-run academy within 12 months of hire. A Paid Call recruitment is scheduled to open July 15, 2026 and close September 15, 2026.
What are the requirements to become a Paid Call Firefighter at Central Fire?
Applicants must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid CA Class C license, live within Santa Cruz County, hold BLS certification, pass the FCTC written exam and CPAT, and clear a district physical exam, drug screening, and background investigation.
Where are Central Fire District's stations located?
The district operates seven fire stations serving Aptos, Capitola, La Selva Beach, Live Oak, Rio Del Mar, and Soquel, along with an administrative office in Santa Cruz and a training headquarters and fleet services facility in Aptos and Capitola.
What areas does Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County serve?
The district covers about 55 square miles and roughly 90,500 residents across the communities of Aptos, Capitola, La Selva Beach, Live Oak, Rio Del Mar, and Soquel.