Sparking Student Interest in Firefighting Careers

As extreme fire seasons become the new normal in San Diego and throughout the state, the need for trained firefighters and fire safety professionals has never been greater. The safety and security of our communities will rely on the next generation of first responders, and the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) is working closely with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and CAL FIRE San Diego to spark student interest in careers in fire safety and help establish a steady workforce pipeline to this critical field.

According to the October 2023 Labor Market Analysis for Firefighting Occupations in San Diego and Imperial Counties conducted by the Centers for Excellence, demand for firefighters in the region is projected to grow in the next few years. Notably, the report indicates that entry-level positions have low barriers to entry, only requiring a high school diploma and Emergency Medical Technician certification, and typically pay at or above the living wage.

In an effort to meet these projected staffing needs and develop career pathways that are accessible to students right after graduation, SDCOE’s Work-Based Learning team has worked closely with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department to give students a firsthand look at careers in fire service. Since the 2020-21 school year, the team has coordinated 150 work-based learning activities with San Diego Fire-Rescue, including classroom guest speakers, station tours, and student workshops, serving 11,769 students and educators.

“Our goal is to train the next generation of leaders in San Diego’s workforce,” said Sonia Lira, a project specialist for the Work-Based Learning team at SDCOE. “Our partnership with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department not only prepares students for high-growth, high-wage careers at one of our region’s top employers, but also inspires them to think of a career path that is in service of others and their community.”

For many students who are looking for alternatives to college after graduation – specifically affordable and accessible options – pursuing a career in fire safety can be a viable option. Through years of partnership with SDCOE, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department has been able to refine its recruitment approach.

“Working with SDCOE and engaging directly with students all over San Diego has really helped us expand our recruitment efforts and get young people from different backgrounds interested in a career in fire service,” said Captain Jason Shanley, Fire Captain-Recruitment Officer with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

According to Capt. Shanley, new recruits were typically people looking to make a career switch several years after graduating high school, but he wants to attract these recruits sooner.

“One benefit of being a larger department is we are in constant need of new recruits for things such as retirements or the opening of a new station,” said Capt. Shanley. “We’re doing what we can to get these students interested in these careers and make the decision to join us early on, and we’re able to do that in our work together.”

SDCOE is also further expanding its fire safety career experiences by exploring a new partnership with CAL FIRE San Diego. The initiative will bring a unique hands-on experience to the Linda Vista Innovation Center, with plans to tie the experience to some of the activities and experiences at Cuyamaca Outdoor School. The new program aims to create a seamless career exploration experience with specific appeal to students who enjoy being outdoors.

“We see so many students who really thrive during their week exploring the outdoors at camp,” said Dr. Matthew Tessier, SDCOE assistant superintendent. “We’re looking to build an experience that capitalizes on their affinity for the outdoors and gives them a hands-on look at some of these high-wage and in-demand careers right here in their own community, and show them how accessible a career doing what they enjoy can really be.”