SANTA ROSA—With the urgent need for more firefighters across California, Senator Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) has secured the final $1 million needed to finish construction of a state-of-the-art firefighter training tower for Santa Rosa Junior College’s (SRJC) Fire Academy, one of the largest in the region.

The new fire training tower will provide real-life training that is essential to developing highly skilled fire professionals. SRJC plays a key role in preparing the next generation of first responders who serve on the frontlines, battling wildfires and protecting our communities. The college’s Fire Technology program provides hands-on training to ensure firefighters are prepared for the challenges and demands of the job. 

The state funding for the training tower has been a critical part of SRJC’s goal to double the number of graduates from the Fire Academy to meet California’s workforce needs and strengthen firefighting capacity across the North Bay.

“The horrific firestorms we’ve all lived through have been a painful reminder of the important work that our firefighters do to keep our communities safe. The need for firefighters has never been greater in the Golden State,” said Senator McGuire. “We are so incredibly fortunate to have a nationally recognized Fire Academy in our backyard, training the next generation of heroes to protect lives and property throughout the Golden State. This new training tower will double SRJC’s capacity to train the next generation of firefighters who will protect and serve our state like never before.”

“Our community understands the devastation wildfires bring and the critical need for hands-on training for our fire service professionals,” said Dr. Angélica Garcia, Santa Rosa Junior College Superintendent/President. “At SRJC’s Public Safety Training Center, this new fire tower will strengthen how students prepare for the realities they will face in the field. We are grateful to Senator McGuire for his leadership and advocacy in moving this project forward. This investment expands our capacity to train and graduate the next generation of firefighters who will serve and protect Sonoma County and the region.”
 

This funding builds on an initial $1.5 million state investment for the training tower secured by Senator McGuire in 2023.
 

McGuire has long-championed legislation to protect and uplift California’s firefighters. This year, he delivered a major budget win to begin the transition of California’s 3,000 seasonal firefighters to full-time status, 365 days per year, beginning early next year. This key action is supported by more than $4 billion in state investments toward vegetation management and community hardening projects statewide to reduce wildfire risks across the Golden State. 

SRJC’s fire training tower project is expected to be completed by September 2026.

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