About Us
CALIFORNIA'S FIRE DEPARTMENT
In the mid-1960s, a group of firefighters from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) convened in Sacramento with a shared purpose: to form an association dedicated to improving wages, benefits, and working conditions. More than five decades later, that vision endures in CAL FIRE Local 2881, a proud and unified organization committed to protecting its members and strengthening the fire service across California.
CAL FIRE Local 2881 is responsible for fulfilling the mission of CAL FIRE to provide comprehensive fire protection and other related emergency services, including protection of life and property.
CAL FIRE Local 2881 is the largest affiliate in the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), representing the firefighters of CAL FIRE. Our membership includes over 10,000 current and retired employees in Bargaining Unit 8, encompassing Firefighters, Fire Apparatus Engineers, Fire Captains, Battalion Chiefs, Foresters, Pilots, Supervisors, Forestry Logistics Officers, Fire Prevention Specialists, and other vital classifications.
CAL FIRE Local 2881 is also the largest local in the California Professional Firefighters (CPF), reinforcing our commitment to statewide advocacy.
CAL FIRE Local 2881 responds to more than 600,000 incidents annually—less than 2% of which are wildland fires. CAL FIRE personnel serve as the primary fire department in 30 of California’s 58 counties and over 100 municipalities. Our members lead incident command during many of the state’s most critical emergencies, including structure fires, vehicle accidents, earthquakes, floods, hazardous material spills, and other complex disasters. Simply put, we are California’s Fire Department.
CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the third-largest in the nation, protecting 33 million acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA). From the Oregon border to the Otay Mountains, CAL FIRE Local 2881 members are among the most highly trained and capable firefighters in the world.
Cooperative Agreement
Since the 1940s, local government entities such as cities, counties, and districts have contracted with CAL FIRE to provide many forms of emergency services for their communities. CAL FIRE provides full-service fire protection to many of the citizens of California.