Fifteen members of Class 18 of the Lake Tahoe Fire Academy graduate

Class 18 of the Lake Tahoe Fire Academy held its graduation this week at the Tahoe Blue Event Center. Started in 2007, the Academy is a pipeline to active fire service in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The graduates have undergone fire training including wildland fire, hazardous materials, ice rescue, ventilation training, and other experiential learning services.

Normally a one-year program, this year's class graduated in just six months. The curriculum was revamped to accommodate the new schedule, increasing the number of people eligible to help fill fire service needs immediately.

Class 18

Ayala J. Hernan, South Lake Tahoe
Cameron A. Gale, Ben Lomond, CA
Marcos F.Gonzales, Sacramento
Brent J. Janke, Corona, CA
Christopher Lopez Ramos, South Lake Tahoe
Ivan A. Medina, South Lake Tahoe
Stone W. Merkley, South Lake Tahoe
Benjamin C. Miller, San Diego
Nikole R. Mulligan, Lake Stevens, WA
Rafael G. Perez, South Lake Tahoe
Eric O. Pinon Cruz, South Lake Tahoe
Oscar G. Ramos, South Lake Tahoe
Issac J. Sanchez, South Lake Tahoe
Ryan T. Schneider, Ashburn, VA
Jayden D. Sherman, Placerville

The graduation ceremony started with Sean Cummings, bagpiper, followed by introductions by Anika Schneider, the Fire Academy coordinator. Speakers included Lake Tahoe Community College Superintendent/President Jeff DeFranco, Lake Tahoe Community College Dean of Workforce Development & Instruction Brad Deeds, Fire Academy Director Patrick Hughes, and the Class 18 Battalion Commander Stone Merkely.

Honored during the evening's ceremony was Fire Chief Terry Hughes who is retiring after 48 years in service. He was the Eastern Alpine Fire-Rescue fire chief as well as the Fire Academy's skills director.