CAL Fire reviews

3.8

67% would recommend to a friend

(207 total reviews)

Joe Tyler

85% approve of CEO

63% positive business outlook

CAL Fire has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 207 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The CAL Fire employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Government & Public Administration industry (3.6 stars).

Reviews by job title

207 reviews
2.0
May 28, 2015

Top Leadership Putting California at Risk

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

> Most rank-and-file and on-the-ground employees take the department's mission to heart.

Cons

> "Lack of funds and unwillingness to pursue legislation for additional funding put several important progrms and responsibilites in jeopardy: sufficient nomex protective equipment to equip new hires and replace worn or damaged equipment during drought-exacerbated fire seasons; insufficient funds to properly dispose of seized fireworks, which are sitting in various lockers and magazines throughout the state; and lack of oil pipeline inspectors due to retirements and low pay not being enough to compete with industry, just to name a few. > Top leadership (Deputy Chiefs) always complaining that they are too busy and putting unreasonable demands on civilian workers (e.g., routinely requiring work above classification without paying the higher level salary) > So many scandals that cost taxpayers significant money and no one takes responsibility (e.g., Training slush fund held off the books, Moonlight Fire prosecution debacle, Ione training facility dereliction, etc.) > "We are a family." unofficial motto should be "We are a dysfunctional family."

3.0
May 15, 2015

A good department that refuses to be great.

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Ability to transfer between units and experience work in many areas of the state. - Cal Fire is truly an "all risk" agency. - Opportunity to travel all over the state during fire season.

Cons

- Low pay / benefits compared to other areas of the fire service. - Opportunities for career advancement are limited - The best employees usually leave. - Nepotism is a big problem - Very difficult to eliminate low performers

4.0
Jan 1, 2015

Firefighter

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great place to fight fire.

Cons

Full of "boyscouts" and very para-military

Viewing 193 - 195 of 207 Reviews

Glassdoor has 236 CAL Fire reviews submitted anonymously by CAL Fire employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if CAL Fire is right for you.