The news outlets in the Bay Area ran a story highlighting Senator Dave Cortese’s budget amendment that staffs all Cal Fire engines, dozers, etc year round. It’s a little confusing because it also says it moves 3,000 seasonal firefighters to full-time, which I think is a separate deal that’s still in the works. But back to the subject at hand- can someone confirm that all CF equipment is now staffed at peak levels from now until at least the next budget cycle?
3 Likes
Senator Cortese is a coauthor (1 of 14) of SB 581 , the bill to transition FF1’s to year round employment. Lazy reporting and/or verbal misunderstanding by the reporter. To be fair lawmaking/budget writing is pretty obtuse.
My amateur reading of the May revise shows no additional money for year round implementation either in money or positions. Which make sense as it could become a 2 year bill or not pass at all. If it does pass and is signed, if needed Newsom can always tap the various funds/authorities to keep employment thru this winter. A much more likely scenario would be for CalFire and Human resources to spend the time up to next years budget coming up with the process for the transitions and insert the money in next years (or 2027’s) budget, depending upon when it goes into effect.
4 Likes
I thinks everyone is waiting to see the offices budget. But to my understanding all FF1’s will be converted to Perm Employees and stations will be year around staffed. Including hand crews and Rotor Wings.
1 Like
Looks like FF hand crews first with continued talks regarding the rest.
2 Likes
Is all this listed somewhere?
1 Like
This is incredible and could help improve project work and even Rx burns in the spring and fall. I sure wish the FS would catch up with the times. First things first gotta get the folks liveable wages.
3 Likes
I think you are right. “Look what I’m working on” got translated to “Look what I’ve done”
2 Likes
“An increase of $39 million in FY 25/26 & $78 million on-going to begin to transition a portion of Firefighter I positions assigned to Hand crews within the Department to Permanent firefighter employment classifications. Provisional language states the intent of the Legislature to transition Firefighter I Positions assigned to Engine, Crews, Helitack, and Air Attack to a permanent firefighter employment Classification, subject to enactment of future legislation and appropriation of necessary funding”
- Still contingent on the passing and signing of legislation for funding.
- Still have to comply with CalHR requirements for permanent employment status requirements(required to take a test, establish eligibility, “make the list”) prior to being offered a permanent position with the department. Those of us “long in the tooth” know this means at a min, pass the FF2 written & be on the list. Additionally, like when the Fuels Crew’s were started. The Forestry Technicians had to attend and pass FFA to be perm employees and completing probation.
Finally, it permanently funds the EU aircraft that has been funded the last 3 budget cycles. It also increases the total size of the dept by 766.5 positions(total across the dept) from FY 24/25.
5 Likes
Nice find, I saw that “intent” in the trailer bill (AB 124 which was signed last week) but have not found it in the line item budget. Not saying it isn’t there as the actual budget bill is not fun to look at. I’ll revise my statement above to say, if it doesn’t happen soon, it’s clearly coming.
As an aside, if it was only $79 million difference between a year round staffed fire department and what has existed for years, shame on leadership (both executive/legislative & labor) for not pushing this sooner.
4 Likes
So looking at the chaptered budget 
I found the $39 million, but it looks like it is affirmatively earmarked for FF1 crews (to be transitioned to year round employment). And as mentioned it is the intent of the Leg/Gov to make everybody else year round (but there is no current money allocated for that).
I’d be curious for people closer to the action to comment on what they hear is actually going to go on in the field as the $39 million will cover half this budget year (Jan '26-Jun '26). For next budget year there will be the full $78 for the crews. Has anybody heard any rumor’s of what the plans are? If the leg doesn’t pass the additional money (always a possibility) what happens at “end of season”. I’m sure a whole lot of fuels work would be involved.
Btw, there is an increase in the next budget year of 564 positions to continue the implemention of the 66 hour workweek.
4 Likes
How many state fire stations are there? I don’t know off the top of my head, but I have heard the number 770 thrown around a lot in the rumor mills.
770/3=256.667
So that’s roughly 256 type 3 engines
A crew is considered 40 firefighter positions
770/40=19.25
So only 19 permanent crews, of which I believe there are 32 (rough guess) FF1 crews right now in the state.
All this is speculation and doesn’t include the helicopters, which are staffed at 15 FF1’s now.
3 Likes
Remember their base salaries already in budget for this fire year and next spring through june 30th. Dollars cover only the three to 5 months there not funded for
3 Likes
There are approx 250 state funded stations and 350 state funded engines. Not sure what your math is supposed to show.
Good point, so not sure what the doubling of the money is for (unless they are only planning on a partial implementation this year). Either way, still wondering if anybody has any inside scoop of what the plan is, operationally wise, or if it’s still too early for anything. Just being a curiosity cat… 
Are all the FF1 crews fully staffed?
2 Likes
I have heard the number 770 thrown around for permanent firefighter positions so that’s where that math is coming from. I’ve heard that number from multiple sources
3 Likes