News

Sep 11, 2026

On September 11, Governor Newsom welcomes CAL FIRE's newest leaders as they answer the call to serve

39 new Company Officers graduate from CAL FIRE's 12th leadership academy of 2026, joining more than 3,600 emergency response leaders since 2019

What you need to know: Governor Newsom welcomed 39 newly graduated CAL FIRE company officers, marking the department's 12th leadership academy of 2026. On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, these emergency responders accept a responsibility to carry on the courage and selflessness exemplified by those who came before them.

SACRAMENTO – On September 11, a day of remembrance for the fire service and the nation, Governor Newsom welcomed the graduation of 39 CAL FIRE Company Officers, marking the department's 12th leadership academy of 2026. As the new Company Officers take their oath of leadership, they join more than 3,600 CAL FIRE emergency response leaders trained since 2019 through California's investments in frontline leadership and crew development.

Today's graduation, on the 25th anniversary of September 11th, carries profound significance for CAL FIRE and the brave fire service nationwide — they join a proud tradition of service and accept the responsibility to lead with the courage, selflessness, and commitment exemplified by the brave firefighters who came before them.

On September 11, we remember the extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and service of the first responders who ran toward danger to protect others. Today's graduates carry that legacy forward. As CAL FIRE's newest Company Officers, they are prepared to lead with the judgment, strength, and commitment Californians depend on when emergencies happen.

Governor Gavin Newsom

"I am incredibly proud of our newest Company Officers, whose dedication to service embodies the very best of CAL FIRE," said Fire Chief/Director Joe Tyler. "On this day of remembrance, as we honor the legacy of those who came before us, these graduates step forward as leaders, ready to protect California's communities with courage and integrity. Their accomplishments reflect not only their personal growth, but also CAL FIRE's ongoing investment in building a world-class emergency response force. Congratulations to each graduate for embracing the responsibility to lead and serve."

Investing in California's next generation of leaders

CAL FIRE's Company Officer Academy remains the bridge between technical proficiency and command leadership. Recent graduates completed intensive training in tactical command, personnel management, and all-risk emergency operations, and they now return to their units across the state ready to lead.

Since 2019, CAL FIRE has nearly doubled its fire protection workforce, growing from 5,829 to 11,436 positions. Over the past five years, Governor Newsom, in partnership with the Legislature, expanded CAL FIRE's firefighting workforce by adding an average of 1,800 full-time and 600 seasonal positions annually—nearly double that of the previous administration.

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Today's graduation keeps the department on track to welcome more than 500 new Company Officers into leadership roles before the close of 2026. This sustained expansion is strengthening CAL FIRE's capacity to protect California's people, property, and natural resources while building the workforce needed to meet increasingly complex, climate-driven emergencies.

California builds the world's most powerful firefighting force

Governor Newsom has transformed California's firefighting capacity from the ground up — investing billions to expand the workforce, opening new training academies, engaging young Californians for public service, and deploying the National Guard to keep communities safe year-round.

• Historic investments-statewide: Since 2019, California has significantly expanded its firefighting capacity by investing in personnel, equipment, and training to protect communities from increasingly severe wildfires and extreme weather events. Under the Newsom administration, California's fire protection budget nearly doubled—from $2 billion to $3.8 billion and more than $2.5 billion in wildfire resilience and forest health projects. Governor Newsom and the Legislature have also invested over $350 million for wildfire safety projects on federal lands — which make up 58% of California's forestlands. At the same time, the budget for the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)—the state's leadership hub for responding to and rebuilding after major wildfires—increased from $1.8 billion to $4.5 billion.
• Investing in young leaders. California is actively engaging young people across the state through fellowships and career opportunities to fight wildfires and support forest management efforts.  Year-round, young people in the California Conservation Corps (CCC) are working with CAL FIRE and partners to operate wildland firefighting handcrews, respond to natural disasters, and conduct essential forestry projects, including removing fire-prone vegetation. In 2025, CCC Corpsmembers supported wildfire, base camp support, and forest-health activities:
  • CCC Fire crews were dispatched to 355 wildfire incidents statewide, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires in Los Angeles. CCC fire crews totaled 415,930 emergency response hours.
  • CCC Corpsmembers assisted state and federal partners at base camp for 33 incidents in California, plus one out-of-state camp. There were 173 dispatches totaling 347,488 hours.
  • Corpsmembers in the CCC Forestry Corps program reduced fire risk and improved forest health. Together, they treated 1,515 acres, removed 1,700 trees for fuel management, and planted 8,000 trees to support reforestation.
• Boots on the ground, eyes in the sky: The California National Guard's Joint Task Force Rattlesnake (JTFRS) enhances the state's readiness efforts before and during wildfires. Made up of over 400 CalGuard members who work under CAL FIRE, JTFRS deploys highly trained service members to support fuel mitigation projects, firefighting efforts, and community protection. Recently, in anticipation of peak wildfire season, JTFRS and partners engaged in their annual modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) training to battle wildfires from the sky.

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