Training Center

Year-round training in fire protection and prevention

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) operates four state-of-the-art Training Centers in California.  They include core and ancillary learning spaces which provide realistic operational environments to conduct readiness training for the Department’s workforce.

  • CAL FIRE Ione Training Center (ITC) was established in 1967 to support CAL FIRE’s responsibility to protect the people, property, and natural resources of the State of California and is located on 420 acres within Amador County, in the City of Ione, approximately 35 miles southeast of Sacramento.
  • CAL FIRE Riverside Training Center (RTC) was established in 2017 and is located at the Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center in Riverside. CAL FIRE Riverside Training Center was established to meet the critical training needs of the Department due to trends related to the increasing size and severity of wildfires throughout California.
  • CAL FIRE Redding Training Center (RED) was established in 2023 and is located at Shasta College in Redding. CAL FIRE Redding Training Center was established to meet the growing needs of adding additional employees to the department and to expand training centers further north.
  • CAL FIRE Atwater Training Center (ATC) was established in 2025 and is located at Castle Airport and Development Center in Atwater. CAL FIRE Atwater Training Center was established to meet the Department’s full alignment with IFSAC and ProBoard Testing and State Fire Training Firefighter 1 certification and the growing needs of adding additional employees to the department.

At these four essential instructional facilities, CAL FIRE provides year-round training in fire prevention and protection, emergency response, law enforcement and enhancement of natural resource systems.  CAL FIRE personnel participate in a diversity of academic curricula including fire control, arson investigation, leadership development, forest practice enforcement, aviation and specialized courses.  Additionally, personnel from allied fire protection and law enforcement agencies throughout California and the nation attend courses during the academic year.

Inside Look

Explore CAL FIRE's Ione Training Facility, a leading center for firefighter simulation training, equipped with advanced props and structures including burn buildings and live fire scenarios.
Learn about the 7 week training program, and get an inside look at the Ione Training facility.