SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) celebrated the graduation of its 20th Fire Academy class on March 26, 2026, at the Duke Theatre, recognizing a group of cadets prepared to support and protect local communities across the region. The cohort trained under the class motto, “Refuse to Lose,” reflecting the discipline and resilience required to complete the program.

The ceremony brought together families, instructors, and regional fire agency partners to honor the cadets’ completion of rigorous training, including physical conditioning, classroom instruction, and hands-on emergency response simulations. Cadets entered the Duke Theatre in formation, led by bagpiper Sean Cummings, marking the start of the evening’s program.

All cadets completed the coursework and hands-on skills assessments for California Firefighter 1 certification, National Wildfire Coordinating Group wildland fire certifications, and emergency medical technician training, preparing them for immediate entry into fire service careers.

“This is a battle-tested, winter-trained, highly skilled group,” said Brad Deeds, Dean of Career Technical Education at LTCC. “They Refuse to Lose. They are ready to step up and fill those jobs to keep our communities safe. Do not let the smaller size of the cohort fool you. This group is tough.”

LTCC’s Fire Academy is built on strong regional collaboration with partner agencies, including South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, Lake Valley Fire Protection District, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, North Tahoe Fire Protection District, El Dorado County Fire Protection District, Fallen Leaf Lake Fire Department, and USFS – Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

Class 20 graduates include:

  • Molly Adams
  • Crystal Bennett
  • Matthew Cain
  • Jake Hickman
  • Imanol Luquin Ramirez
  • Miles McGovern
  • Jesse Moreland
  • Cody Nelson
  • Richard Posada
  • Emperatriz Ruiz

Cody Nelson served as Battalion Commander for Class 20.

“We came into this academy as complete strangers, and we’re leaving with relationships and experiences that will last a lifetime,” said Nelson.

Looking ahead, LTCC is expanding its commitment to public safety training. The college will break ground in spring 2026 on a new Public Safety Training Complex, with the facility expected to open in fall 2027. Once complete, the complex will support hands-on instruction for fire, forestry, and emergency medical services, strengthening workforce development and regional emergency response capacity.

The Fire Academy continues to prepare career-ready firefighters equipped to serve mountain and rural communities throughout the Tahoe Basin.

For more information about the LTCC Fire Academy, visit www.ltcc.edu/fire.