OCFA - Orange County Fire Authority

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About Hand Crew Firefighters

Crew Organization

OCFA handcrews work for the Wildland Operations Battalion under the guidance of the Special Operations Division.

The OCFA operates two Type 1 Dividable Handcrews. The two crews (Crew 1 – Santiago Handcrew and Crew 2 – El Toro Handcrew) are staffed by 20 handcrew firefighters on each crew.

Each crew has its own overhead consisting of one Superintendent, two Assistant Superintendents, and two Squad Bosses, OR one Superintendent, one Assistant Superintendent, and three Squad Bosses. An additional two full-time HCFF's are detailed to the OCFA's two dozers as dozer swampers.

Job Duties

The primary function of OCFA's crews are performing hazardous fuels reduction projects and wildland fire suppression. Other tasks include construction, fabrication, and clean-up activities as well as maintenance and repair of hand tools, power equipment, and vehicles. HCFF's assist with department functions such as centralized wildland training and providing manpower for our training academies, Emergency Medical Services Section, and Urban Search and Rescue Program.

A typical workday includes station maintenance, vehicle and equipment checks, safety training, physical fitness training, and project work either in the field or at Camp.

To view the comprehensive classification specification for Hand Crew Firefighter, please click here.

Schedule

OCFA handcrews work 10-hour days (0700-1700) on a modified 4/10 schedule. Crews may be called back during off-duty hours for in-county fires, out-of-county fires, and cover assignments. Crews commonly experience extended staffing hours for initial attack coverage and fire assignments during the fire season. Crews will frequently be called on for 24-hour coverage during high fire danger days and may be gone in excess of 14 days at a time on fire assignments in and out of county. If you cannot commit to being available for fires and cover assignments during the fire season, this job is not for you.

Career Development

Career development is one of the primary goals of our crew program. We aim to build up crew members' experience, education, and qualifications as wildland firefighters. Our more experienced and qualified firefighters are appointed to Senior Firefighter and Squad Boss positions.

We emphasize training and experience to help our crew members pursue a career as a firefighter on the floor with the OCFA or other municipal fire agencies. Our HCFF's are offered voluntary participation in the Firefighter Mentorship Program in which we assign crew members to be mentored one-on-one by the most progressive and high performing members of the agency. HCFF's may participate in station visits and ride-along's on the OCFA's engine and truck companies to build experience in the all-risk side of the OCFA. This allows our crew members to immerse in fire house culture and be exposed to EMS and structural firefighting as well as learn the roles and responsibilities of a probationary firefighter on the floor.

Community Risk Reduction & Pre-Fire Management

OCFA handcrews conduct ongoing project work within the county in coordination with the OCFA Wildland Resource Planner and the Pre-Fire Management Section.

Project work is completed to reduce fire risk in interface areas, reduce invasive plant species, maintain fuel breaks, and maintain fire roads. Projects may be mutually beneficial to or contracted by cooperating agencies, landowners, and utility companies. These projects most often involve brushing, mowing, and chipping.

Firefighting Operations

OCFA handcrews maintain seven-day crew coverage for initial attack fires in OCFA's jurisdiction. As a CalFIRE contract county, OCFA crews are available for response to fires within the state of California.

While assigned to fires, crews are expected to operate safely in adverse conditions including long hours, steep terrain, and extreme temperatures. Handcrews are self-sufficient by design, requiring little logistical support. HCFF duties on fires may include but are not limited to, direct and indirect line construction, falling operations, firing operations, mop-up, and fire suppression repair.

Hiring Process

MINIMUM & HIGHLY DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications to apply for the position of Hand Crew Firefighter are: 1) age 18, and 2) possession of a High School Diploma/GED.

Highly Desirable qualifications increase your chances of advancement in the recruitment process. When Human Resources staff are screening your application, they are looking for the following certifications: 1) S-190 Introduction to Wildland Firefighting, and 2) S-130 Firefighting Certificate. Human Resources will screen all applications for minimum qualifications. However, the OCFA reserves the right to refer only the most qualified applicants (those possessing the Highly Desirable Qualifications listed in the recruitment announcement). To increase your chances of advancing, it is recommended you obtain both the S-130 and S-190 certificates.

The S-190 Introduction to Wildland Firefighting may be taken online or in person (Instructor-led)

The S-130 Firefighting Certificate is either an instructor-led course or blended (classroom study online and mandatory instructor-led field day). You will be required to show proof of completion for both components.

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and several local community colleges offer these certificate courses.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION

The written examination consists of approximately 100-150 questions in multiple choice format covering the following sections:

Basic Math
Reading Comprehension
Tools, Equipment and Safe Work Practices
Mechanical Ability
Teamwork
Wildland Firefighting Questions
There is no study guide.

ARDUOUS PACK TEST

Candidates must pass the arduous pack test exam in under 45:00 minutes. The Arduous Pack Test consists of a three (3) mile hike with a 45-pound pack over level terrain. During the recruitment process, the Arduous Pack Test is coordinated by the OCFA at a nearby facility. We recommend you complete an Arduous Pack Test prior to the recruitment process so you are familiar with the physical expectations, however, a certificate of completion is not a substitute for competing this component of the recruitment process. please see below for additional information on the Arduous Pack Test.

Arduous Pack Test Information

ORAL PANEL INTERVIEW

The Oral Interview is a critical component of the hiring process. This is OCFA’s chance to learn about each applicant and their different defining qualifications, attributes and personal characteristics.

FIRE CHIEF INTERVIEW

If you successfully pass all steps in the recruitment process, you will be invited to meet with the Fire Chief for final ranking. Interviews with the Fire Chief are approximately ten (10) minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How are the OCFA Handcrews organized?

We are organized into one or two structures. 1-2-2, OR 1-1-3

Both crews work for the Special Operations Division, Wildland Operations Battalion and are organized with the following structures:

1 Superintendent
2 Assistant Superintendents
2 Squad Bosses
20 Handcrew Firefighters

1 Superintendent
1 Assistant Superintendent
3 Squad Bosses
20 Handcrew Firefighters

2. What are the job duties of a Wildland Firefighter that works for OCFA?

Perform hazardous fuels reduction projects
Wildland fire suppression
Camp duties- construction, fabrication, maintenance of equipment used for projects and fire
Physical fitness is the highest priority of an Handcrew Firefighter
HCFF duties on fires may include but are not limited to, direct and indirect line construction, falling operations, firing operations, mop-up, and fire suppression repair.

3. What is the schedule of a Handcrew Firefighter?

OCFA handcrews work 10-hour days (0700-1700) on a modified 4/10 schedule.

Crew 1 works Monday-Wednesday and Payday Weekends
Crew 2 works Wednesday-Friday and Non-Payday Weekends

4. What kind of career progression should I expect as a Handcrew Firefighter?

Handcrew Firefighters are eligible to attend NWCG and California State Fire Training classes at the OCFA. Crew members may open up taskbooks and work on qualifications including but not limited to Firefighter Type 1 and Crew Boss. In the past, crew members have been able to fill trainee positions as fallers, heavy equipment bosses, firing bosses, and helicopter crew members. When the leadership feels that you are ready you will be able to earn a spot as a Senior Firefighter.

5. What is the pay for an entry level Handcrew Firefighter?

$16.95 per hour. Handcrew Firefighters are eligible for pay step increases every 12 months of employment. Pay increases are awarded based on merit and may be given at 1 to 4 step increments. Step 12 is top step at a rate of $22.84 per hour.

6. What type of benefits will I receive as a Handcrew Firefighter?

You will receive medical, dental, vision, safety retirement, and the opportunity to participate in the deferred compensation program. Handcrew Firefighters are considered safety employees who fall under the International Association of Firefighters, Local 3631 as their bargaining unit.

7. What is the process to get hired for the floor as a municipal firefighter with the OCFA?

Crew members must still test with the open Firefighter Trainee recruitment process. This typically includes a written exam, physical ability test, panel interview, and Chief’s interview. Once ranked, the highest scoring candidates move on to a physical screening and background check.

Handcrew Firefighters may participate in the section’s mentorship program to help bridge their experience with crews on the floor. This gives them an opportunity to network with department members, immerse in the OCFA firehouse culture, get exposure to all-risk emergency responses, and prepare for the Firefighter Trainee recruitment exam and academy.

8. Is the move from Handcrew Firefighter to Firefighter Trainee in the OCFA’s academy a promotion?

Although crew members must test as any other applicant on the open test, the move from Full-Time HCFF to Firefighter Trainee is considered a promotion.

Handcrew Firefighters' accumulated service credits for seniority and retirement carry over when they are hired on as a Firefighter on the floor.

9. How do I physically prepare for the job of Handcrew Firefighter?

When you come to the crew, you should expect to participate in physical training (PT) every day in addition to project work, training, and fire responses. During your initial training you should expect to PT twice a day. Our PT is designed for job function on a handcrew which focuses on long duration moderate load work and aerobic capacity.

Physical training is predominantly alternating days of running and hiking with calisthenics. The runs are usually a moderate pace and most typically last anywhere from 3 to 6 miles. The runs may be on trails with varying terrain. The hikes are usually also a moderate pace and are anywhere from 1 to 2 hours in duration in terrain with varying steepness and footing. Calisthenics include push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, squats, lunges, and burpees.

You should also focus greatly on mobility, recovery, nutrition, and hydration.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION