Fire Academy Certificate
Certificate of Achievement Fire Science · Lake Tahoe Community College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Units: 26.5 units
The Fire Academy certificate program prepares students for entry-level employment in the fire service and augments the existing Fire Academy certificate. Coursework includes FIR170K - Lake Tahoe Community College Fire Academy Orientation Class; FIR170L - Lake Tahoe Community College Fire Academy, Part A, FIR170M - Lake Tahoe Community College Fire Academy, Part B. Topics include but are not limited to: fire service organization, firefighter safety, tools and equipment, fire prevention, incident management systems, wild land firefighting, and fire suppression techniques. Students successfully completing the program and meeting additional industry specific requirements are eligible for California State Fire Marshal certification as a Firefighter I. All courses must be completed with a grade of B or better. Please consult with your counselor for specific transfer requirements. Lake Tahoe Community College is an Accredited Regional Training Program through the California State Fire Marshal and the State Board of Fire Services. The Fire Academy certificate program follows California State Fire Marshal Firefighter I curriculum standards and the National Fire Protection’s (NFPA) Standard 1001, Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications. This standard is recognized across the United States as the professional qualification standard for all firefighters. Instructional areas include fire organization and responsibility, cultural diversity, safety, use of self-contained breathing apparatus, fire service apparatus and equipment operation, hose and nozzles, ladders, ropes and knots, incident command system, physical conditioning, and administering treatment within the scope of a first responder. The Fire Academy courses are sequential and must be taken in order. Students must successfully complete FIR170K - Lake Tahoe Community College Fire Academy Orientation Class) with a grade B or better to enroll inFIR170L - Lake Tahoe Community College Fire Academy, Part A. Students must successfully complete FIR170M - Lake Tahoe Community College Fire Academy, Part B) with a grade B or better. In order to be certified by the California State Fire Marshal as a Firefighter I students are required to successfully pass the capstone testing. Fire Academy courses are physically demanding and a health clearance is required.
Program Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate effective and safe operation of fire service tools and equipment.
Identify and properly use various fire appliances and nozzles, and demonstrate effective hose rolling techniques.
Identify, maintain and utilize various types of ladders used in the fire service.
Demonstrate proficiency in the donning and doffing of self-contained breathing apparatus.
Identify various forcible entry tools and describe their use.
Operate within the Incident Command System (ICS).
Apply appropriate critical thinking and skills in the assessment of illness and/or injury of a person involved in an emergency situation and apply emergency treatment principles and techniques.