Tahoe Basin Public Safety Training Complex
A Transformative Investment in Regional Safety, Education & Workforce Development
Lake Tahoe Community College is building the Tahoe Basin’s first-ever Public Safety Training Complex (PSTC), a state-of-the-art facility that will deliver hands-on, high-impact training for current and future emergency responders in fire, forestry, and emergency medical services (EMS).
This one-of-a-kind facility breaks ground in Spring 2026 and is expected to open in Fall 2027.
A Vision Realized: More Than a Decade in the Making
The PSTC is the final major project funded by Measure F, LTCC’s 2014 general obligation bond approved by local voters to modernize and expand campus infrastructure. That initial $55 million investment has been strategically leveraged into nearly $125 million in public and private funding, bringing bold, community-driven projects to life—including the new Tahoe Mobility Hub, an on-campus Early Learning Center, and now, the PSTC.
First-of-Its-Kind Training Facility for the Tahoe Basin
The Public Safety Training Complex is designed to meet the region’s growing demand for skilled emergency personnel and create new pathways into critical public safety careers. Features will include:
- 100,000-square-foot outdoor training tarmac for simulated fire and rescue scenarios
- Multi-story training tower for vertical rescue and fire suppression
- Specialized water delivery system to support firefighting exercises
- 7,000 square feet of secure storage for fire engines, equipment, and gear
- Multi-disciplinary training spaces for Fire Science, Wildland Fire, Forestry, EMS, Wilderness Medicine, and Search and Rescue programs
This facility will serve students, first responders, and public safety agencies across the region, reducing the need for costly off-site training and enabling year-round, real-world preparedness right here in South Lake Tahoe.
A Regional Resource With Statewide Impact
LTCC’s leadership in fire and forestry education is being recognized across California. The PSTC will serve as a model for public safety education within the California Community Colleges system, positioning South Lake Tahoe as a hub for resilient workforce development in the face of growing wildfire and climate challenges.
“This facility will not only serve as a training ground for public safety professionals across the state but as a catalyst for economic growth and resilience in our region.”
— Brad Deeds, Dean of Workforce Development & Instruction
Powered by Partnerships
This project would not be possible without the advocacy, investment, and support of:
- California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
- U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein† and Alex Padilla
- Congressman Kevin Kiley
- City of South Lake Tahoe
- CAL FIRE
- Tahoe Fund
- California Tahoe Conservancy
- Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation
- El Dorado Community Foundation
- California Resilient Careers in Forestry Program
†in memoriam
Timeline & Next Steps
- Spring 2026 – Groundbreaking and construction
- Fall 2027 – Facility opens for training
In the meantime, LTCC continues working closely with project architect JKAE, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Division of the State Architect, and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board to finalize designs and secure necessary permits.
Learn More
For updates on the Public Safety Training Complex and related programs, visit LTCC’s Career & Technical Education page.