SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Lake Tahoe Community College’s Fire Academy has been reaccredited by California State Fire Training, reaffirming its status as the only Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP) serving the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding communities.
Originally accredited in February 2009, the LTCC Fire Academy was re-accredited in 2015, 2021, and again following its most recent five-year review cycle. Since its initial accreditation, the Academy has graduated 19 classes of firefighter cadets, many of whom now serve in agencies throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond.
State Fire Training reaccreditation occurs every five years and requires programs to demonstrate rigorous compliance with curriculum standards, instructor qualifications, facilities, and equipment requirements established by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
As the only ARTP in the Lake Tahoe region, LTCC’s Fire Academy was originally developed in response to workforce needs identified by local fire agencies seeking a reliable, regionally based training pipeline. While many students relocate to South Lake Tahoe to attend the Academy, the program’s core mission has been to prepare firefighters to serve the Tahoe Basin and surrounding communities.
The nearest alternative accredited programs are nearly 100 miles away and require travel across mountain passes or out of state. By offering Fire Fighter 1 certification locally, LTCC helps meet ongoing staffing demands, reduces barriers to entry for regional residents, and strengthens the long-term capacity of area fire agencies.
“This reaccreditation affirms the strength of the Fire Academy and the essential role it plays in preparing the region’s first responders,” said LTCC Director of Forestry, Fire & Public Safety, Carlie Murphy. “Providing high-quality, accredited fire training locally ensures that residents of the Tahoe Basin have access to career pathways that directly serve and protect our communities.”
The most significant achievement of this accreditation cycle was LTCC’s substantial investment in updated equipment and the continued development of its instructor cadre. These enhancements ensure full compliance with State Fire Training standards while positioning the program for future growth and expanded course offerings.
Looking ahead, the College will further expand its public safety training capacity with the upcoming groundbreaking of the Tahoe Basin Public Safety Training Complex, scheduled for late May. The state-of-the-art facility, expected to open in 2027, will significantly enhance hands-on training environments for fire, emergency medical, and other public safety disciplines.
“The Tahoe Basin Public Safety Training Complex represents a transformative investment in the safety and resilience of our region,” said Superintendent/President Jeff DeFranco. “It will allow us to expand programming, support local agencies with advanced training resources, and ensure LTCC graduates are prepared to meet the evolving demands of the fire service.”
LTCC’s Fire Academy offers comprehensive Fire Fighter 1 certification training aligned with California State Fire Training standards, preparing students for careers in municipal, state, and federal fire agencies. Graduates leave the program with the certifications and hands-on experience necessary to compete for entry-level firefighter positions throughout California and beyond.
As wildfire mitigation and emergency preparedness remain top priorities across the Sierra Nevada, LTCC’s continued accreditation—and its investment in expanded training infrastructure—ensure that the Lake Tahoe region maintains a strong pipeline of highly trained, state-certified professionals ready to serve.
For more information about the LTCC Fire Academy and enrollment opportunities, visit www.ltcc.edu or call (530) 541-4660.
