LTCC Fire Academy
You Hear the Call - Get the Skills & Certifications You Need to Serve with
Lake Tahoe Community College Fire Academy
Fire Fighter 1 Academy – Class 21 (Fall 2026)
LTCC's accredited Fire Academy prepares students for entry-level employment within the fire service through comprehensive hands-on training, physical conditioning, classroom instruction, and scenario-based exercises aligned with California State Fire Training standards.
Applications for Fire Fighter 1 Academy – Class 21 will be accepted from:
Friday, May 15, 2026 at 5:00 pm through Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Application Link:
Lake Tahoe Community College Fire Academy Application - Class 21 - Fall 2026 – Fill out form
Academy Schedule
Fall 2026 Academy Schedule:
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Mandatory Preparatory Meeting
All applicants are required to attend the mandatory Class 21 Prep Meeting:
Saturday, August 1, 2026
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LTCC Campus – Classroom G6
Applicants unable to attend due to extenuating circumstances must submit an email request for an excused absence to:
fireacademyinfo@mailltcc.onmicrosoft.com
Please include:
- Full Name
- Student ID Number
- Reason for requesting an excused absence
Applicants will receive an approval or denial response from Fire Academy staff. Failure to attend the mandatory prep meeting without prior approval of absence may result in removal from the selection process.
Application Selection Process
The LTCC Fire Academy utilizes a competitive, multi-criteria selection process. Applicants may be evaluated on a combination of academic achievement, completion of prerequisites, and relevant training or experience. Applicants who have fully completed all Fire Academy prerequisites at the time of application submission may receive additional weighting within the selection process compared to applicants who are currently “in progress” with prerequisite requirements. Completion status will be verified through submitted documentation. Final selection is based on overall applicant ranking. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
All applicants will receive a status notification by:
Friday, July 17, 2026 by 5:00 PM
Applicants will be notified whether they were:
- Selected
- Placed as an Alternate
- Not Selected
Fire Academy Prerequisites
Applicants must either have completed or currently be enrolled in (“in progress”) the following prerequisites:
- FIR-170K: Fire Academy Orientation P.R.E.P. Class
- HEA-140E: EMT Program, or equivalent EMT training from another accredited program
Proof of completion or proof of current enrollment is required.
CPAT Requirement Update
The CPAT, Candidate Physical Ability Test, prerequisite has been waived as a requirement for acceptance into the Class 21 Fire Academy. However, all enrolled students will still be required to successfully complete the CPAT by the conclusion of the Class 21 Fire Academy in March 2027.
Required Documentation
All required documents must be converted to PDF format and emailed to:
fireacademyinfo@mailltcc.onmicrosoft.com
Email Subject Line Format
Fire Academy – Class 21 Application: Last Name, First Name
Email Content Must Include
- Last Name, First Name
- Student ID Number, or indicate “Need to Apply”
- Status of prerequisites: “Completed” or “In Progress”
- List of attached documents
Acceptable Verification Documents
FIR 170K Verification, any 1 of the following:
- Unofficial college transcript
- Certificate of Completion
- Current class schedule if enrolled
EMT Verification, any 1 of the following:
- EMT Certificate of Completion from an accredited program
- NREMT Certification
- State or County EMT Card/License
- College Transcript
- Current class schedule if enrolled
Physical Ability Assessment Examination
A Physical Ability Assessment Examination will be administered on the first day of the Fire Academy.
This assessment evaluates:
- Cardiovascular endurance
- Muscular strength
- Muscular endurance
- Agility
- Functional movement
The examination consists of timed and performance-based exercises reflective of firefighting operations.
Applicants will receive two attempts to successfully complete each required exercise. Failure to successfully complete any exercise on the second attempt may result in dismissal from the Fire Academy.
Additional information regarding the Physical Ability Assessment Examination will be provided via email following application submission.
Academy Expectations
Due to safety concerns and regulatory requirements, students should understand that Fire Academy training includes:
- Physically demanding activities
- Extended operational periods
- Hands-on training evolutions
- Paramilitary verbal and nonverbal communication
- Team-based performance expectations
Applicants should be in good physical condition and capable of safely participating in rigorous training activities.
Estimated Program Costs
Estimated Fire Academy costs for a CA resident, costs are subject to change and do not include out-of-state tuition:
$3,000 – $3,400
Important Information
Applicants are strongly encouraged to regularly monitor their email for important updates, scheduling information, and Fire Academy communications.
If you have additional questions regarding the application process, please include them in the same email when submitting your prerequisite documentation.
The Fire Academy team looks forward to seeing you on August 1st, 2026, for the Mandatory Class 21 Prep Meeting and appreciates your interest in pursuing a career in the fire service.