Fire watch guards are essential for the smooth and safe operation of any job site that is conducting “hot work”, or has experienced an outage in its fire safety system. Trained sets of human eyes are the best way to supplement existing fire detection systems and cover any gaps that might leave personnel and assets vulnerable to fire damage.
The demand for fire watch guards in California has increased over the past decade, fueled by increased fire risk and a growing preference from job site operators for flexible solutions that can be deployed as needed for ongoing jobs. It’s a great time to become certified in fire watch – whether you are looking to diversify your skillset as a security guard, or are passionate about fire safety on job sites.
Becoming a fire watch guard in California involves two components: meeting the basic requirements, and getting certified as a fire watch guard by taking an approved course. Baseline requirements include being over 18, having a high school diploma or GED, being fluent in English, passing a background check, and having the legal right to work in California. As for courses, many services have sprung up to offer fire watch certification across the Golden State. Employers have a preference for guards who are committed to ongoing education; taking supplementary courses in fire safety and first aid will be beneficial to anyone interested in fire watch.
Fire Watch Courses: What to Expect
A quick sampling of the courses available in California shows a huge variety of options for aspiring fire watch guards. Some can be completed online in a few days, while others involve in-person instruction from fire safety experts. Pay attention to the specific topics covered in your program of choice, and make sure that the following are featured:
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Life Safety Code
- OSHA 1910 General Industry Standards
- California Code of Regulations Title 8 – “Fire Watch” Sections
These are the core regulations through which employers will be held liable. Your course instructor will ensure you are familiar with all applicable laws so that you can effectively observe and report as a fire watch guard.
In an increasingly competitive market, you can stand out from the crowd by furthering your education. There are many premium fire guard courses that go above and beyond the basic requirements of the role. You can also pursue other certifications that will add to your fire watch skill set and help secure gainful, long-term employment.
To improve your capabilities and hireability as a fire watch guard, consider certifications in:
- First Aid
- Fire Safety
- Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, and Fire Prevention Plans
- Fire Extinguisher Service
- Fire Alarm Systems Training
Top Guards Join National Firewatch
We’ve been proud to provide fire watch services in our home state of California for over a decade. In that time, we’ve developed a reputation for having a roster of the most qualified fire watch professionals in the state, ready to deploy quickly when they are needed.
If you’ve completed your fire watch certifications, there’s a good chance we can connect you with suitable deployments in California. National Firewatch prefers to hire the best, so we recommend getting the most comprehensive fire watch education you can to ensure future employment opportunities.