Santa Rosa—In the face of a growing need for wildland firefighters, Senate President Designee Mike McGuire has secured $1.5 million to build a new training tower for Santa Rosa Junior College’s Fire Academy. 

The new Training Tower is a critical part of a larger expansion of the Fire Academy and the Public Safety Training Center that will meet the community’s dramatic increase in need for additional firefighters in the North Bay and throughout Northern California.

SRJC’s Nationally Recognized Fire Academy has prepared students to serve their community through a career in the fire service for over 30 years. But in the past decade workforce demand for firefighters has skyrocketed, due to worsening wildfire activity and retirements throughout the fire service. 

“The need for firefighters here in the Golden State has never been greater with the rise of mega fires here in the West,” said Senator McGuire. “This vital funding will help the SRJC build a brand-new training tower in Windsor, and put 150% more students through its training program each year. Our community is so lucky to have this nationally recognized Academy in our own backyard, graduating the next generation of heroes who will protect our state for generations to come.”

The SRJC’s program recently ranked as the top Fire Academy in California by the State’s Fire Marshall’s Office. The Academy partners with local high schools to recruit diverse firefighters from across California.

“I appreciate the true partnership we have with Senator McGuire, who cares deeply about the communities he serves. Along with the Senator, SRJC knows what it is like when your community has been devastated by wildfire. That’s why we are dedicated to developing future fire service professionals who embody safety and comfort in times of tragedy. This investment symbolizes the shared commitment we make as a state and college to the safety and well-being of our communities. By offering the best education and training facilities for future fire service professionals, this project extends beyond the confines of the SRJC Public Safety Training Center—it will touch every life that our future fire service professionals will protect and serve,” said Dr. Angélica Garcia, Santa Rosa Junior College Superintendent.

SRJC will break ground on the Fire Training Tower and Public Safety Training Center modernization and expansion project in the spring of 2024.

The Training Center houses the Fire, EMT, and Police academies at SRJC.

Completion of the new training tower is expected by Fall 2025.