Fire Department · Career
City of Chico Fire Department
Chico, CA · Butte County
“Proudly Serving the Citizens of Chico Since 1873”
Four staffed stations plus an unstaffed airport facility
Chico Fire Department seeks a Deputy Chief ($196,477 annual) with extensive fire management experience and leadership skills. Apply continuously.
Apply by July 13 for firefighter positions in Chico, CA; $73,615–$98,651 annually. Requires current FCTC SEL and CPAT/FCTC Written Test within specified dates.
The Chico Fire Department protects the City of Chico in California's northern Sacramento Valley, an area that includes downtown, residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, Chico State University, and the vast Bidwell Park. Its coverage stretches into the surrounding wildland-urban interface, and the department played a coordinating role during the major Park Fire.
Operations run out of four staffed stations plus an unstaffed facility at the Chico Municipal Airport, all staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Frontline apparatus includes Truck 1 and Engines 2, 4, 5, and 6, backed by Type-3 wildland engines, a technical and swift-water rescue unit, a Butte County interagency hazmat unit, and airport crash rescue.
The department traces its roots to Company No. 1, organized in March 1873, a month before the Great Fire that devastated downtown Chico. It has grown from a volunteer bucket brigade into a full-time professional service spanning suppression, prevention, community education, and community risk reduction.
MissionTo provide the highest quality fire, rescue, and emergency services to the Chico community in a caring and professional manner.
The department's employment listings are posted through the City of Chico. Prospective firefighters should contact the Chico Fire Department at (530) 897-3400 or watch the city's employment opportunities page for open recruitments.
How do I apply to become a Chico firefighter?
Firefighter openings are posted through the City of Chico's employment opportunities. You can also contact the Fire Department directly at (530) 897-3400 for current recruitment information.
Who leads the Chico Fire Department?
Wesley Metroka serves as Fire Chief, supported by an interim Deputy Chief and battalion chiefs assigned to each of the A, B, and C shifts.
How many stations does the department operate?
The department operates four staffed stations across Chico, staffed 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, plus an unstaffed facility at the Chico Municipal Airport.
What kinds of emergencies does the department respond to?
Beyond structure fires, Chico crews handle wildland and wildland-urban interface fires, technical and swift-water rescue, hazardous materials (through a Butte County interagency team), and aircraft crash rescue at the municipal airport.