Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy

Fire Academy cadets training in the field in South Lake Tahoe
 
 

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You Hear the Call - Get the Skills & Certifications You Need to Serve
The Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy at Lake Tahoe Community College prepares bright, committed, service-oriented students for sustainable careers in fire suppression and management. Fire Academy cadets receive comprehensive hands-on training from working professionals who share their passion with students for this critical work. Cadets will graduate from the program well prepared to work in wildland or structural firefighting organizations at the federal, state and local levels, and with the licenses and certifications needed to enter the work force right away.
 
The Fire Academy is offered through partnerships with the Lake Valley Fire Protection District, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, and Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District. LTCC is recognized by the California State Fire Marshal and the State Board of Fire Services as an Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP).
 
The Fire Academy is offered in a two-quarter format in the Fall/Spring quarters. This enables students to maintain employment while preparing for a career in fire service.
 
Applicants who plan to enter the LTBFA in the 2023/24 Academic Year, Class 18, are REQUIRED to attend FIR191P being offered in Summer Quarter 2023 on Saturday & Sunday August 5 & 6, and Saturday & Sunday August 12 & 13. Check the Summer/Fall Schedule of Classes for more information. There is also additional information on this webpage about other prerequisites that applicants need to know about before applying to the Fire Academy. To maximize career opportunities after graduation, all cadets are encouraged to obtain an EMT or Paramedic license.
 

Students who are accepted into the program should expect to meet on Tuesdays at LTCC's South Lake Tahoe campus, and Fridays and Saturdays in Carson City, NV (approximately 30 miles from campus) from 7am-6pm each week. The Fire Academy can help coordinate transportation for cadets who need assistance.

 

 
See current catalog for details.
 
B. REQUIRED COURSES
All courses from the following (37 units):
FIR 191M Special Topic: Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy, Part A (12.75)
FIR 191N Special Topic: Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy, Part B (12)
HEA 131BD Special Topic: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) (12.25)
 
C. ELECTIVE UNITS to bring the total to 90 units

SEE THE PROGRAM MAPPER →

A. REQUIRED COURSES:

All courses from the following (24.75 units):
FIR 191M Special Topic: Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy, Part A (12.75)
FIR 1191N Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy, Part B (12)

There are A NUMBER OF STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS that you can apply for each spring. Scholarships make it possible to earn money for college that does not ever need to be repaid. While some of LTCC's scholarships are competitive, there is a wide variety available you can apply for for free that are awarded based on all kinds of qualities and interests.

  • A minimum of 21 hours of Public Safety First Aid and CPR certification as documented in the California Health and Safety Code 1797.182. 
  • Courses at LTCC that exceed this prerequisite include HEA106, HEA131BD, and WLD107A & WLD107B. Prerequisites will be verified by the instructor before the first day of class.
  • Completion of HEA106 (Emergency Medical Responder) or EMR card, OR Completion of HEA131BD (ST: Emergency Medical Technician) with a "B" grade or better, or equivalent EMT course certificate of completion.
  • Successfully pass the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), the recognized standard for measuring a person's ability to handle the physical demands of being a firefighter. The timed test measures how cadets handle eight separate events that are designed to mirror real-world tasks on the job.
  • A physician's clearance is required for participation in the Fire Academy.

Interested in attending the LTBFA? Fill out this form:

 
 

What do I get when I complete the Fire Academy?

You will receive a certificate of completion for the training hours required by the State Fire Marshal's Office for Firefighter I, along with Fire Service Training & Education Program (FSTEP) and National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) certificates in several areas. After completing our program, you must successfully complete the Firefighter 1 Certification Examination. At that time, you will be eligible to apply for the actual Firefighter I certificate through the Fire Marshal's Office with the approval of a California Fire Chief.

What is the Firefighter I Certification Examination?

Anyone completing a Firefighter I academy must successfully complete a skills and written examination process before they can become certified. The evaluators for the testing process must be certified by the California State Fire Training and must be different than the instructors who taught at your fire academy. More information will be provide during the LTBFA.

Where do I sign up?

Applicants who plan to enter the LTBFA are first REQUIRED to take FIR191P, being offered in Summer 2023. Check our Summer/Fall Schedule of Classes for more information about registering.

We'd love to have you join us at Lake Tahoe Community College's Fire Academy! To learn more, please complete the "Get More Info" contact form above for more information. 

 

Have a question?

We’re just a call or email away:

Lake Tahoe Community College
One College Drive
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
enrollmentservices@ltcc.edu
(530) 541-4660 x 211

 

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staff
  • photo of Adrian Escobedo
    Adrian Escobedo
    Director of Forestry, Fire & Public Safety
  • Coyote logo
    Anika Schneider
    Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy Coordinator
  • photo of Captain Pat Hughes, director of the Fire Academy
    Pat Hughes
    Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy Director