🪓 Reciprocity to get your CA Firefighter I & II

Written By Gabe schultz

Step 1: Prep

  1. Review Firefighter I Requirements
     Visit this page to review the Firefighter I state Fire Training requirements

  2. Request a State Fire Training ID
     Complete the SFT ID Request Form to obtain your SFT ID.

  3. Gather Your Certifications
     Go to The Pro Board Certification Lookup to download your certifications.

    • Use your 4-digit Total Force Number as the PIN to access records.

Step 2: Complete the Reciprocity Application

  1. Download and Fill Out the Application
     Access the Firefighter I Reciprocity Application Instructions.

  2. Prepare and Submit Required Documents (as PDFs, ideally compressed):

    • IFSAC/ProBoard Firefighter I

    • IFSAC/ProBoard Firefighter II

    • IFSAC/ProBoard Hazmat Awareness

    • IFSAC/ProBoard Hazmat Operations

    • IFSAC/ProBoard Hazmat Operations PPE

    • IFSAC/ProBoard Hazmat Product Control

    • FEMA IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800

  3. Payment
     Pay the $125 Pro Board®/IFSAC Reciprocity Review Fee (non-refundable).

You must obtain the following two certifications, which you do not have yet

  • Confined Space Rescue Awareness
     (Must be from SFT, IAFF, or IFSAC/ProBoard)

  • Wildland Courses: S-130, S-190, and L-180
     (Accepted through CICCS and/or NWCG providers)

Step 3: Submit Your Reciprocity Application via Email and Via Mail

Print out all your certification (if you don't have a printer it could be cheaper or free to go to a library or at a school campus).

  • IFSAC/ProBoard Firefighter I

  • IFSAC/ProBoard Firefighter II

  • IFSAC/ProBoard Hazmat Awareness

  • IFSAC/ProBoard Hazmat Operations

  • IFSAC/ProBoard Hazmat Operations PPE

  • IFSAC/ProBoard Hazmat Product Control

  • FEMA IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800

  • SFT Confined Space Awareness 

  • S-130, S-190, and L-180 (CICCS and/or NWCG)

State Fire Training

PO BOX 944246, Sacramento, CA 94244-2460

Sample Email Template

  • Feel free to modify this email but this is the basics of what you should say

Subject: Firefighter I Reciprocity Application - SFT ID #: (SFT ID)

“Good morning/Good afternoon 

My name is (Full Name), and I am currently applying for my California State Fire Marshal Firefighter I certification through the reciprocity process (Option B). My SFT ID number is (Your SFT ID).

I have completed the following certifications:

  • IFSAC/ProBoard Firefighter I

  • IFSAC/ProBoard Firefighter II

  • IFSAC/ProBoard Hazmat Awareness

  • IFSAC/ProBoard Hazmat Operations

  • IFSAC/ProBoard Hazmat Operations PPE

  • IFSAC/ProBoard Hazmat Product Control

  • FEMA IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800

I have paid the $125 Reciprocity Review Fee through the SFT Online Payment Portal for Option B.

I am currently in the process of obtaining the following additional certifications:

  • Confined Space Rescue Awareness (SFT, IAFF, or IFSAC/ProBoard)

  • Wildland Firefighting: S-130, S-190, and L-180 (CICCS and/or NWCG)

Please find my certification documents attached as PDFs. If physical mailing is preferred, I am happy to send hard copies to the SFT mailing address of PO Box 944246, Sacramento, CA. 94244-2460.

Kindly let me know if any additional information or documentation is needed. I appreciate your time and assistance with my application.

Best regards,
(Your Full Name)
(Your email)

(Your phone #)

Let me know if you require anything else. Thank you for your time”

(Provide the certifications below as a PDF. You will need to compress them most likely) 

There are several free services to do this with, a couple are 

https://imagecompressor.com

https://www.onlineimagetool.com/

Step 4: Getting your Confined Space Rescue Awareness 

1 Option for Confined Space Rescue Awareness (SFT-Approved)

Red Helmet Training
 They offer State Fire Training (SFT)-certified courses including Confined Space Awareness.

  • Primary Contact (via Text):
     Christa: (909) 466-4671
    Suggested message to send:

Hi Christa,

My name is (Name), and I'm interested in taking the Confined Space Rescue Awareness course. I’m a _____ Reservist Firefighter currently applying for my CA FF I through reciprocity.

My email is (Email) and my SFT ID is (SFT ID).
Please let me know if any upcoming classes are available.
Thank you!

  • Alternative Contact (Phone):
    Jesse Quinalty (760) 880-4572
    Call if you're unable to reach Christa, or if you want to confirm the next available course dates.

    Other Potential Training options 

If Red Helmet Training has no available classes, try these courses instead: 

You can also search for approved training centers in your area that offer SFT, IAFF, or IFSAC/ProBoard certified Confined Space Awareness courses.

Step 5: Complete Wildland Firefighting Courses

S-130, S-190, and L-180 (CICCS and/or NWCG)

Courses Required:

  • S-130: Firefighter Training

  • S-190: Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

  • L-180: Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service

These must be completed through a (CICCS and/or NWCG) approved provider and must include an in person part to meet reciprocity requirements.

Email Template to Inquire About Wildland Training

Subject: Wildland Portion of Fire Academy (S-130, S-190, L-180)

Good (Morning/Afternoon) _______

My name is (Full Name), I am currently completing my reciprocity to obtain California State Fire Marshal Firefighter I certification.

I have already obtained Firefighter I & II and Hazmat certifications through IFSAC, but my initial academy did not include the wildland component. In order to complete my reciprocity, I am now seeking to fulfill the in-person requirements for S-130, S-190, and L-180.

I am very interested in participating in the wildland portion of your program, if it’s available. Could you please share any upcoming class dates or enrollment options?

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Sincerely,
(Your Full Name)
(Your email)

(Your phone #)

Here are some potential Options

Gabe schultz https://www.myemspath.com/
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