For Immediate Release: March 20, 2026
Public Relations Office
Dawnie Slabaugh
Phone: (530) 938-5373
Email: slabaugh@siskiyous.edu
Weed / COS – College of the Siskiyous is proud to announce that its fire academy program has been awarded the Ronny J. Coleman Award for Academy of Excellence by State Fire Training, a distinguished honor recognizing outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence in fire service education across California
This annual award is presented to an Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP) or Accredited Local Academy (ALA) that demonstrates exceptional dedication to developing high-quality training programs, fostering student success, and advancing best practices within the fire service community.
"Our Fire Technology Program faculty and staff's commitment to excellence is the backbone of this program," said Dr. Char Perlas, Superintendent/President. "This recognition reflects their tireless efforts to ensure our students are not only successful but among the best-prepared in the state."
The award highlights the academy’s unwavering focus on professionalism, continuous improvement, and student achievement. Through innovative instruction and a supportive learning environment, the program consistently produces graduates who exemplify the highest standards of the fire service, including competence, resilience, integrity, and leadership.
A special acknowledgment goes to Veronica Coots (who served as Interim Dean of Career & Technical Education) and Monique Gonsalez (CTE Administrative Assistant), whose dedication and expertise were instrumental in preparing and submitting the award application. Their efforts ensured the academy was represented at the highest level. The official award presentation took place at the Fresno Training Chiefs Symposium on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
The Ronny J. Coleman Award for Academy of Excellence honors a fire academy that constructively influences its students through leadership while promoting best practices in training and education. Recipients are recognized for strengthening the quality of California’s fire service and for fostering collaboration within the vocational education community. Graduates of honored programs are known for demonstrating grit, humility, vigilance, wellness, and commitment to lifelong growth.
The College of the Siskiyous Fire Technology (COSFT) program is designed to provide the pre- and post-employment skills required for the career and volunteer firefighter. The program is approved as an Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP) by California State Fire Training (SFT). The ARTP status allows us to operate as an arm of the SFT Office and to test and certify locally. The program prepares students for careers in firefighting, provides in-service training for career and volunteer firefighters, and includes certification as a Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Company Officer. Several specialized courses certified by SFT, National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), along with other specialized training and lectures are also offered.
Learn more about the Fire Training program at College of the Siskiyous or send an email to cteinfo@siskiyous.edu
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