Merced, CA (January 15, 2026) — Merced College has received full accreditation for its Fire Technology and Fire Academy programs through State Fire Training under the Office of the State Fire Marshal, a designation that allows graduates to earn a Firefighter 1 certification recognized statewide and nationally. According to the college’s official release, the accreditation establishes Merced College as an Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP), confirming that its curriculum meets required state and national fire service standards. The college initially received one-year provisional accreditation in October 2024 and was awarded full accreditation in October 2025.
The accreditation allows students who complete the program to earn a State Fire Training Firefighter 1 certification that is recognized across California and through two national credentialing systems — the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board). In the release, Joe Serena, Dean of Allied Health and Public Safety, said, “This accreditation is a significant achievement for Merced College and for the future firefighters we train here. It means students can earn credentials that are recognized statewide and nationally, and it ensures our academy delivers training aligned with the highest professional standards. Just as important, it strengthens our partnerships with regional agencies and expands real career pathways for students across the Central Valley.”
College officials stated that the ARTP designation expands employment opportunities for graduates by allowing them to pursue positions across multiple municipalities and agencies without needing additional certification transfers or equivalencies. Donald Roe, Professor of Fire Technology, addressed the change from prior years in the release, stating, “Previously, graduating from our program didn’t result in a Firefighter 1 credential, and it limited what students could do after completing the academy. Those days are over. Our graduates now earn a certification that’s recognized statewide and nationally — which makes them more marketable, more hirable, and better prepared to succeed anywhere in the country.”
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Merced County has a population of 281,202 residents, providing context for the size of the communities served by local and regional fire agencies. At the statewide level, workforce data have highlighted staffing challenges in several major California fire departments. An analysis of large municipal departments found that the Los Angeles Fire Department operated with approximately 0.90 firefighters per 1,000 residents, while Oakland and San Jose reported ratios of 1.07 and 0.64 firefighters per 1,000 residents, respectively—figures cited as below commonly referenced national comparison benchmarks. During major wildfire responses, California’s mutual aid system has deployed large numbers of personnel, with reporting noting that more than 4,700 firefighting personnel were mobilized during recent large-scale fire events, illustrating the scale of demand placed on the state’s fire response infrastructure. At the federal level, national reporting on wildland firefighting indicated that more than 25 percent of United States Forest Service firefighting positions were vacant as of summer 2025, based on internal workforce data reviewed by journalists. The original Merced College release does not make claims regarding firefighter staffing shortages in California or Merced County; however, these figures provide broader workforce context as graduates enter the fire service.
The accreditation also builds on established partnerships with regional and municipal fire agencies, including Merced County Fire (MMU Fire Training), Merced City Fire, Los Banos City Fire, and Fresno City Fire. These partnerships support hands-on instruction, access to equipment and facilities, and direct connections to employment opportunities after graduation. In the release, Merced Fire Chief Casey Wilson said, “The accreditation of the Merced College Fire Academy is a significant milestone for the public safety workforce in our community. As a Merced College alumnus and graduate of the Merced College Fire Academy, I have seen firsthand the high standards and professionalism the program instills in its students. The high-quality firefighters graduating from this academy directly translate to a higher level of public safety and service for the Merced community.”
Merced College reported that its Fire Academy is currently at full capacity for Spring 2026, with the next academy cohort scheduled for Spring 2027. Students interested in applying are encouraged to begin preparing by completing required Fire Technology coursework and earning an EMT credential, which are now minimum requirements for admission into the academy. With full accreditation now in place, the college is also preparing to offer a Firefighter 2 Academy, which is currently in curriculum review and anticipated to begin in Fall 2026, pending final approval.
Roe emphasized the significance of the new pathway in the release, stating, “This is an exciting time to become a firefighter, and the need for highly trained and certified firefighters is more crucial than ever. We finally have a pathway for our local community and students to achieve their dreams of becoming professional career firefighters.”
