College of the Redwoods Celebrates Graduation of 34 Fire Academy Cadets in Historic First Accredited Class

Published on Apr 28 2026

The College of the Redwoods proudly announces that 34 Fire Academy Cadets graduated yesterday, marking a major milestone as the first class to complete the program under full State Fire Training accreditation. This achievement represents a significant step forward in the evolution and recognition of the college’s fire training program. 

Over the course of the academy, cadets completed more than 1,000 hours of intensive, hands-on training, preparing them for the complex and demanding realities of today’s fire service. Their instruction spanned a wide range of critical disciplines, including Structural firefighting, Hazardous materials (HazMat) response, Wildland firefighting, Emergency medical response, Fire fighter safety and technical rescue, and physical fitness and teamwork. 

“This graduating class represents not only individual achievement, but a defining moment for our program,” said Academy Director, Sean Robertson. “Becoming an accredited academy and graduating our first qualified class reflects the dedication, professionalism, and high standards that our instructors and cadets bring every single day.” 

The accreditation ensures that the training meets rigorous state and industry standards, further positioning graduates for successful careers in fire service agencies across the region and beyond. Most of the program’s graduates secure employment in the region with State, Federal and private agencies. 

Throughout the program, cadets demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and commitment—pushing through physically and mentally demanding scenarios designed to mirror real-world emergencies. Their success reflects countless hours of preparation, coordination, and behind-the-scenes effort by academy staff and instructors. 

As these 34 graduates’ step into the next phase of their careers, they carry with them not only technical skills, but the values of service, integrity, and teamwork that define the fire service profession.