FAQ
How Do I Become a Firefighter?
Prerequisites
Firefighting is a very fulfilling career with many rewards. Like many careers, becoming a firefighter begins with a foundation in education. At the City of Rocklin Fire Department you must possess a valid State of California Firefighter 1 Certification, and a State of California Paramedic license to be considered for appointment to the position of Firefighter. You must also be 18 years old, a high school graduate (or equivalent), be a citizen of the United States, and possess a valid California driver’s license.
Why does a Fire Engine and Ambulance go to Medical Emergencies?
Fire engines have emergency medically trained personnel and are placed in strategic locations throughout the City of Rocklin. The ambulance, while strategically placed often times will be out of ideal position because of previous medical emergencies. Firefighters will often stabilize the emergency and then transfer care to the ambulance personnel who will provide transportation to an emergency room, depending on the nature of the call. All members of the Rocklin Fire Department are Certified Emergency Medical Technicians or Certified Paramedics.
Why do Firefighters go to the Store?
Firefighters work a 48-hour shift and must supply their own food. They combine their money to purchase food for meals. Often, you will see them at a grocery store in a fire engine. The only way the Rocklin Fire Department can ensure that three firefighters will respond and arrive in an average of less than 5 minutes is by using the vehicle they respond in — with all three firefighters present and available. Sometimes they receive a call while shopping for food, which means they leave directly from the grocery store and have to come back later to finish their grocery shopping.
How Many Calls Do You Run?
In 2020, the Rocklin fire department responded to 5,057 incidents, a 10.8% decrease from 2019. Specifically, calls for emergency medical service decreased 7.6% to 3,303 incidents and fire incidents decreased 16.5% to 147 incidents. Emergency medical incidents accounted for 65.3% of total calls and fire incidents accounted for 2.9% of total incidents.
How Many Firefighters Are On Duty?
Within the City of Rocklin, each fire station has a minimum of 3 personnel on duty at all times. They work 48-hour shifts. Fire Stations 23 and 25 each have a Captain, Engineer, and Firefighter/Paramedic. At Station 24 staffing levels can be as many as 4, consisting of a Captain, Engineer, Firefighter/Paramedic, and Firefighter.
There is also a Battalion Chief on Duty on duty in the City working the same 48-hour shift.