Fire Department · Combination
Monterey County Regional Fire District
Salinas, CA · Monterey County
No active openings right now
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Department careers page ↗Monterey County Regional Fire District (MCRFD) formed in 1934 when Salinas-area voters approved the creation of a district fire department by an 87-to-42 vote, with the initial territory centered on Salinas. Over the decades the district grew through annexations and, notably, the merger of its predecessors, the Salinas Rural Fire District and the Carmel Valley Fire Protection District, bringing together coverage of the rural Salinas Valley and Carmel Valley under one agency.
Today MCRFD is an independent special district organized under the California Health and Safety Code, governed by a five-member Board of Directors appointed by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. Its 70 personnel operate out of seven stations - Toro, Chualar, Laureles, Village, Mid Carmel Valley, Santa Lucia Preserve, and East Garrison - covering roughly 400 square miles that stretch from Toro Park and the Highway 68 corridor through Chualar and Carmel Valley to East Garrison. The district also contracts with the City of Salinas to cover about 35 additional square miles in the city's northern neighborhoods, including Bolsa Knolls and Boronda.
Engines run with a full complement of ALS medical equipment, and personnel are cross-trained as EMTs or paramedics, giving MCRFD a combined fire-suppression and advanced life support model. The district also fields urban search and rescue (USAR) capability and runs an active wildland urban interface / defensible-space and fire-prevention program, reflecting its mixed grassland, oak-woodland, and wildland-urban-interface terrain.
MissionTo protect lives, property and the environment by providing excellent and fiscally responsible emergency medical and fire response, prevention, training and public education.
MCRFD periodically opens Firefighter/Paramedic recruitments (an application window ran 7/1/26-8/31/26). Candidates apply directly to the district's Human Resources Officer with a full packet of certifications, and go through a background investigation and medical/drug screening before hire.
Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- Legal right to work in the United States
- Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record
- Current EMT license
- Current CPR card
- CA Paramedic license
- ACLS certification
- PHTLS or ITLS certification
- PALS or PEPP certification
- Passing score on the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT)
- Passing score on a written entry-level firefighter exam
Hiring process
- Submit application with resume and required certifications to Human Resources
- Background investigation (criminal history, fingerprints, arrest record, credit history, motor vehicle record)
- Medical examination with drug and alcohol screening
The district offers a Paramedic School Tuition Support Program and a Paramedic School Scholarship for candidates pursuing paramedic certification.
What is MCRFD's ISO Public Protection Classification?
Buildings within five miles of an MCRFD station carry a rating of 3 (effective 1/1/2022); buildings beyond five miles from any station carry a rating of 10.
Is ambulance service free for Carmel Valley residents?
Carmel Valley residents benefit from Measure F, a voter-approved supplemental tax. Insurance is billed first, and remaining costs are covered by Measure F funds. Billing questions go to Wittman Enterprises at (800) 906-6552.
How does MCRFD respond to wildfire risk in the district?
The district asks residents to maintain 30 feet of defensible space, clear roof and gutter debris, trim tree branches to at least six feet above ground, and stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from structures.
When can I do a backyard burn?
Backyard burn season generally runs from December through April, and burning is only allowed on permissive burn days, which residents should confirm before obtaining a permit.
Which station covers my area?
Coverage is split by zone among the district's seven stations - for example, Station 1 covers the Highway 68 corridor and Toro Park, Station 4 covers Carmel Valley east of Garland Park, and Station 7 covers East Garrison. Call (831) 455-1828 to confirm which station covers a specific address.