Recruitment and Application

The Verdugo Fire Academy has several recruitment events over the course of the year. The biggest one is our Fire Career Planning Seminars which are held for free the first Saturday of every month, and are virtual seminars through ZOOM with some live dates, held at the at the Verdugo Joint Training Center. The link to the seminars will be posted on our Event-Brite page which you will find here.

Besides our seminars the academy actively recruits through various functions from area high schools, the college, and fire departments. To see who our next speaker and the topic is for the next Fire Career Seminar check out this page.

The Academy accepts applications year round for the next class starting in January. Remember this is a Fire Fighter I Training Academy which meets over the course of a year, three times a week. This format allows working students to attend and pursue a Firefighting career.


Applying to the Verdugo Fire Academy

  • Step 1 - Apply to Glendale Community College. This step is free and there is no obligation to attend GCC. Applications are to be completed on line. Applying to GCC will get you a student ID Number that will be necessary to continue in the process.
  • Step 2 - Make a Counseling Appointment with our counselor Marisela Canela (optional) at 818-240-1000 ext 5847.
  • Step 3 - Prepare your VFA Application Packet you can Download the packet here, This is not the GCC application.
  • Step 4 - Submit your VFA Application. Completed applications will be accepted at any of the Career Planning Workshops or you may contact Victor Castellanos at 818-240-1000 ext. 5326 to schedule an appointment to submit your application.
  • Step 5 - Once accepted register for Fire 116 and pay all fees (Fire 116) Your spot in the VFA is not guaranteed until you have successfuly registered for Fire 116 including payment of all applicable fees.
  • Step 6 - Attend the Mandatory Fire Academy Orientation, the date will be determined later.
  • Get the VFA Facts page here.
  • Get the VFA fee schedule for the upcoming class here.
  • Get the VFA Sponsorship Letter for sponsored cadets here.