What To Expect In The Fire Academy

In order to become a firefighter you will be required to complete a fire academy. This is a tough step for many people considering they may not know what to expect.

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[perryfire]

Keep your mouth shut, don't EVER be late, always work as a team, and put out every day. Make it a competition to better yourself every day but NEVER at the expense of one of your teammates. Don't ever lie to the training staff, even if it makes you look bad otherwise. They are looking for integrity, not super athletes or perfect people. Don't ever complain or question the training staff. You will pay. If you can't take being yelled at, are physically unfit, are claustrophobic or afraid of heights so much that you can't perform then consider another line of work. Also you have to be strong enough to accomplish what is required of you. And you will have to be smart enough to complete the academic work.

Your instructors will be watching you very closely for any sign of weakness or attitude. They will test you multiple times for signs that you are a quitter. They are tasked with weeding out undesirable candidates before they become a liability on-line. Don't be that liability.

The fire service is a very small community and everybody knows your business. So if you act like an idiot off-site of the training grounds then it is guaranteed your idiocy will come to the attention of the training staff. No exceptions. Firefighters love to gossip so don't become their entertainment.

That's how I remember it at least. Class of 98.

[brettmcdermott]

I’m a Quarter of the way through the Fire Acdemy. Everything you have said is literally on point from what I’ve experienced.

[JK-xlsu]

I start the academy July 31st and I'm so excited this is something I never thought I'd be able to do because not long ago I was on drugs and homeless but I decided enough was enough and got sober and have Been sober for a while now and have done a complete 180 with my life!!!💯💯💯❤️❤️❤️

[codybrahs]

You're gonna feel like you're because you're suffocating. Golden

[preservecollective]

Accepted a job offer two days ago with a department thanks to you. The interview videos and sample questions you provided were spot on and allowed me to have an answer ready to go to each of their questions. Thank you so much, I wish you continued success with the channel man.

[joseislas]

I learned going to the academy that you need to shut up lesson and do as your told. Always have a positive attitude never say no. Also don’t take anything to heart, people want to be your friend but they’re trying to weed out the weak

[gregseals]

Just got accepted to a career position for a local county department. It’s the first time and only department I’ve applied for. I start the academy here in early July. You’re videos have helped tremendously throughout this whole process.

[itsyaboimat]

I've been in the fire service for 7 years with my local department finally got approved to go for my Firefighter 1 &2 (I have mild left side Cerebral Palsy) so there was a lot of safety stuff my officers wanted to make sure I could actually be a firefighter. I leave for my class in the fall with some dudes coming from Baltimore as instructors I'm excited that they will teach me to work around my CP to be the best Firefighter I know I can be

[MattJames]

I’m just a regular ole citizen interested in emergency services. I went to a citizens academy and one surprising things I learned regarding health was the high occurrence of cancer in firefighters early in life due to exposure to all the nasties in smoke. The department in our town installed air quality monitors on all their trucks so the firefighters know when to don scba even before they get out of the truck. I thought that was pretty cool.

[Jphusbands]

After using your interview question videos, I got hired!! This video is perfect and the timing is wonderful. I have 6 months to prep, so the education and time to continue to condition myself physically is a wonderful asset. Thank you so much for putting these videos out, they literally helped me get hired on where I was dying to get hired on.

[michaelschwebs]

Not a single video on this channel has disappointed me, It's full of great information and advice. These videos won't steer you in the wrong direction. I've been a firefighter for a little over a year now and I still take away a lot of great information from these videos. Don't take that statement the wrong way, I'm aware that I'm still very new and have a lot to learn. The point being that these videos aren't just for guys wanting to be firefighters, they're for everyone. As for guys that haven't been through a fire academy yet, watch this video again and really listen. Everything in it is spot on, you'll run into things that will surprise you. I didn't think I was claustrophobic but it's a whole new ball park when you're in full bunker gear, on air, tired, and under black out conditions. Remaining calm is essential, I recommend researching breathing techniques to help you keep your cool and save your bottle ( they will most likely teach you some in the academy anyways). Remember that your instructors are all seasoned vets and are there to help you succeed. Best wishes to everyone!

[harrysingh]

Hello future firefighters!
I attended an online academy. I flew down from Toronto to Dallas/Fort Worth, and went to the Training Division in Crowley. So the online aspect took 4 months to finish, and the actual academy was 2 weeks. Overall the in-person was great, it was just very condescending compared to community college. I strongly urge everyone to study hard before you go to the academy. Also, review knots before they go! Best of luck to all of you! :)

[mattclawson]

I went through the fire academy in Montgomery County MD Fire/Rescue in 2000 and everything you explained I went through. Our training followed the MFRI standards and NFPA FFIII. I also went through US ARMY basic training in 1987. Both were vastly different. The fire academy was para military in nature. We had certain things we had to do, had to wear uniforms correctly, yes sir yes mame, etc. My academy was 19 weeks. The first 16 weeks was fire training. The remaining 3 weeks was EMS. I was also a paramedic when I attended, and we had to do a Medic refresher and learn the county EMS protocols. The academy was 5 am to 3 pm Mon through Fri. We were home every evening and weekends. All gear and books were supplied. Our academy taught firefighter level III. After we graduated we got station assignments and were on probation for a year. Within our first year after probation we attended pump operator class and got checked off to operate an engine. After that it was our choice to go to either ladder training or heavy rescue training. Being a paramedic I chose heavy rescue. I retired in 2019. We had the retirement drop program which I was eligible due to my military experience.

[Storyteller]

I never thought of me as claustrophobic untill I did a wire entanglement drill, where you crawl through a duct prop with wires well on air and in full kit. You have to climb through the wires and get out the other side. When I first did it I got stuck and mildly panicked, took me awhile to get over it.

[anthonyventi]

The fire academy was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through in my life, and I wrestled through college and fought some MMA fights!!
I got hired with zero Fire experience! I still don’t know why they rolled the dice on me! There were far more qualified applicants available! But I graduated and eventually became a competent firefighter. It’s now my goal to make sure every student I teach is more prepared than I was, which is actually a fairly attainable goal!!
Thank you for your content, it makes my job a lot easier!! 🔥

[atticratfd]

I was an instructor at a regional fire academy for 27 years, you are 100% correct on the advice you gave. I told people that were interested in joining the Fire academy to run at least 5 miles and to be able to do at least 100 GOOD pushups ( no butts in the air and touch your chest to the ground). Learn how to press and iron a uniform no Irish pendants and how to shine your boots. Know how to work as a team. And if you worked as a firefighter before never ever say that’s not how my fire department does it. God gave you 2 eyes, 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason….. do more looking and listening and less talking. A cadets job interview starts the day they show up to the academy.

[mattfields]

Starting the academy at the end of February... thanks for the tips!

[AkronKid]

My uncle is well known throughout the US as a fire fighter. Growing up I've always wanted to be one. I'm now 35 and time is ticking! It's my dream job that I have not chased!

[Scooterr]

Starting my fire academy in 2 months! Changing the way I eat now and working out every day and watching all your videos. I hope I kick some butt! Thank you for all you do!

[QuisTheCity]

Just accepted an offer for the busiest county in Georgia. I’ve been binging your videos since I started this process and I know I only made it to this point due to you. Thank you for helping me reach my dream career.