Our Policy

The California Fire Chaplain Association shall serve independently, non-denominationally and without compromise of personally held beliefs and convictions. The Chaplain does not take the place of the family minister or pastor, nor does the Chaplain promote doctrinal positions distinctive to his particular church organization or denomination, except by specific request of person(s) involved. Administering of any special sacraments, etc., shall be referred to a member of the clergy who subscribes to the tenets of the requested service and/or “religious faith” of the person/family being served.

• Program supervision shall be under the President/Executive director and the appropriate area coordinator.

• The Chaplain will be expected to complete the 40 hour “Basic Chaplaincy” training or the Federation of Fire Chaplain Basic Chaplain training within the first year. 

• There are two levels of Chaplaincy that can be utilized Chaplain (Licensed Minister) or Associate Chaplain (Non-Licensed or Lay Minister). The licensed minister has a greater degree of confidentiality covering by law. Both the Associate Chaplain and the Chaplain are to remain confidential regarding all matters.  However if subpoenaed to testify in a court of law the Associate Chaplain could not invoke “Clergy-Penitent Privilege.”

• ​The California Fire Chaplain Association will have a system of oversight and operational accountability consisting of the following.  The President/Executive Director along with the Vice President is responsible for overall administration and operational guidance. The Treasurer is responsible for fiscal accountability. The Secretary is responsible for documentation accountability and information distribution. The Area Coordinators (North, Central, and South) are responsible for Operational oversight and accountability of California Fire Chaplain Association Chaplains in their area.