1. Apprenticeship Standards
APPRENTICESHIP

With Gratitude: How California Apprenticeships Build Firefighting and First Responder Heroes

With Gratitude.

California has mobilized thousands of personnel, including firefighters and first responder teams to fight the devasting wildfires and help victims. In light of the heroic efforts underway, the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), its Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS), the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), the California Labor Commissioner's Office, and the Division of Workers' Compensation extends our deepest gratitude to the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (Cal-JAC) and CAL FIRE firefighters, apprentices, and first responders working around the clock to safeguard Californians and to contain the wildfires. These hardworking firefighters embody the spirit of service, resilience, and bravery. California’s apprenticeship programs have proven to be a vital force in training the next generation of firefighters and emergency first responders.

Cal-JAC is the single largest apprenticeship program in the US, currently with 15,994 active apprentices. Cal-JAC has developed statewide pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs designed to create earn-and-learn career opportunities in the paramedical and firefighter occupational space and DAS is proud to be in support of these programs. These earn-and-learn careers not only create life-changing career opportunities but also fortify California’s emergency response system.

For those impacted by the fires, get help today:

Our thoughts are with those affected by the devasting Los Angeles wildfires. Californians can go to CA.gov/LAfires – a hub for information and resources from state, local and federal government.
  
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses from wildfires in Los Angeles County can apply for disaster assistance:

  • Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
  • By calling 800-621-3362
  • By using the FEMA smart phone application
  • Assistance is available in over 40 languages
  • If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service

January 2025