Fire Department · Combination
Copperopolis Fire Protection District
Copperopolis, CA · Calaveras County
Staffed by a Fire Chief, District Secretary, three Fire Captains, nine firefighters, and multiple paramedics, operating two full-time stations plus a third unstaffed station, and supplemented by a reserve/intern and volunteer program.
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗Copperopolis Fire Protection District traces its roots to the town's copper-mining boom of the 1860s, when a devastating 1867 fire prompted residents to form a volunteer bottle-brigade using bell signals to raise the alarm. That informal effort grew into a funded volunteer brigade backed by the Calaveras Copper Company in 1909, and the district was formally organized in 1936, with residents ratifying it the following year.
Today the district covers roughly 187 square miles of rural, suburban, gated-community, commercial, and lakefront terrain around Copperopolis, much of it wildland-urban interface, protecting approximately 4,000 residents. It operates two full-time staffed stations and a third unstaffed facility, running a mixed fleet that includes a Type I engine, three Type III engines, an ALS quick-response vehicle, a water tender, utility apparatus, and a CERT support vehicle.
A five-member elected board of directors governs the district's budget and finances, while day-to-day operations are led by a Fire Chief overseeing a team of career fire captains, firefighter/EMTs, paramedics, and a reserve/intern program that has historically fed graduates into full-time fire service careers.
MissionTo provide protection and safety for life, property and environment through fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous material mitigation and public education.
Copperopolis Fire Protection District is currently accepting applications for its Firefighter Intern/Reserve Program and for a District Secretary position, and separately maintains an ongoing volunteer firefighter program.
Requirements
- Minimum age 18 for the Firefighter Intern/Reserve Program
- Must be enrolled in post-secondary school (for the Intern/Reserve Program)
- Volunteers must complete an application/informational packet, Form I-9, W-4, proof of private vehicle insurance, and Hepatitis B vaccination series or signed waiver
Hiring process
- Download the application at bit.ly/cfpdapp, or pick one up in person at Station #1 (weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.)
- Contact the district (209-785-2393 or matt.sowell@copperopolisfire.gov) with questions
- Complete and submit the required application and forms
- Prospective volunteers may attend training sessions (1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. at Station #1) before or during the application process
Benefits
Reserve/interns receive a $150 stipend per 24-hour shift, all uniforms and protective equipment, up to $500 in EMT certification reimbursement upon NREMT completion, support obtaining FF1 and FF2 certifications, on-duty class time, and strike team opportunities; the district reports 95% of past reserves have gone on to career fire departments.
How do I become a firefighter with Copperopolis Fire Protection District?
The district's main entry point is its Firefighter Intern/Reserve Program, open to applicants 18 or older who are enrolled in post-secondary school; download the application at bit.ly/cfpdapp or contact the district for details.
Does Copperopolis Fire Protection District accept volunteer firefighters?
Yes. Volunteers complete an application/informational packet along with I-9, W-4, proof of vehicle insurance, and a Hepatitis B vaccination or waiver; interested applicants can also attend training sessions held the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at Station #1.
Is Copperopolis Fire Protection District currently hiring?
Yes, the district is currently accepting applications for its Firefighter Intern/Reserve Program and for a District Secretary position.
What does the Firefighter Intern/Reserve Program pay?
Reserves/interns receive a $150 stipend per 24-hour shift, along with provided uniforms and equipment, EMT reimbursement up to $500, and support obtaining FF1/FF2 certifications.
How many fire stations does Copperopolis Fire Protection District have?
The district operates three stations: two full-time staffed stations in Copperopolis and one unstaffed station in Angels Camp.