LTCC Fire Academy Reaccredited by California State Fire Training

The only Accredited Regional Training Program serving the Lake Tahoe Basin reaffirms its status.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Lake Tahoe Community College's (LTCC) 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. The reaccreditation comes after the Academy's most recent five-year review cycle.

Why it matters

As wildfire mitigation and emergency preparedness remain top priorities across the Sierra Nevada, LTCC's continued accreditation and investment in expanded training infrastructure ensure that the Lake Tahoe region maintains a strong pipeline of highly trained, state-certified professionals ready to serve.

The details

The LTCC Fire Academy was originally accredited in 2009 and has since 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.

  • The LTCC Fire Academy was originally accredited in February 2009.
  • The Academy was re-accredited in 2015, 2021, and again following its most recent five-year review cycle.
  • The upcoming groundbreaking of the Tahoe Basin Public Safety Training Complex is scheduled for late May, with the state-of-the-art facility expected to open in 2027.

The players

Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC)

A community college serving the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding communities, which houses the only Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP) for firefighter training in the region.

California State Fire Training

The organization responsible for accrediting fire training programs in California, including LTCC's Fire Academy.

Carlie Murphy

The Director of Forestry, Fire & Public Safety at LTCC.

Jeff DeFranco

The Superintendent/President of LTCC.

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What they’re saying

“This reaccreditation affirms the strength of the Fire Academy and the essential role it plays in preparing the region's first responders.”

— Carlie Murphy, Director of Forestry, Fire & Public Safety, LTCC (southtahoenow.com)

“The Tahoe Basin Public Safety Training Complex represents a transformative investment in the safety and resilience of our region. 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.”

— Jeff DeFranco, Superintendent/President, LTCC (southtahoenow.com)

What’s next

The upcoming groundbreaking of the Tahoe Basin Public Safety Training Complex, scheduled for late May, will significantly enhance hands-on training environments for fire, emergency medical, and other public safety disciplines when the state-of-the-art facility is expected to open in 2027.

The takeaway

LTCC's continued accreditation and investment in expanded training infrastructure ensure that the Lake Tahoe region maintains a strong pipeline of highly trained, state-certified firefighting professionals ready to serve the community and respond to the growing threat of wildfires in the Sierra Nevada.