now at the academy, diary

[cwell22]

Hello,
I notice a bunch of people want to know what to expect and what to do to prepare for the fire academy, i know i did. Well I am going to do a diary of my time and post things here. This is a continuation of "uhg I hate that tunnel" I hope this helps and for guys that have been through please chime in with tips and pointers. will update each week or more if i have to vent. But please look at "uhg i hate that tunnel" thread for the first two weeks. wism me luck.

[almsfan21]

Man, thanks a lot..this was will help me tons, as I have about 4 months until Academy begins...thanks again and good luck

Josh

[cwell22]

Ok no venting!

Just the meat and potatos. Also my spelling stinks sorry.

School friday was cool. We did our PT in the morning and people got covered in ticks. including myself. Took a test on fire extinguishers and i think everyone passed. We then went over the truck checks again and some other stuff you check out. Then started to learn about ladder carries and actually did the state required evolution. Not timed but closely checked. It seems pretty simple really. I mean really really simple. But I am sure come test day it will seem much more complex over night. We were warned to not go out drinking Sunday night. Monday they say will be demanding and that you have to finish the evolution. I think we will be alright, i'm not going to let anyone quit if I can help it.

[callaway75]

cwell22, Just a little tip for you. My department sometimes runs it's own academy, and I notice alot that the recruits tend to forget the stuff they learned early on. Since we usually do ladders in the first and second week, by the 12th week, they haven't been using ladders as much and tend to forget the basics. So when test time comes, they are scrambling for extra help. Just try and keep reviewing the stuff you learned along the way, and keep practicing in your down time. Believe me, it will help. Good luck!! Any questions, don't hesitate to ask..

[cwell22]

cwell22, Just a little tip for you. My department sometimes runs it's own academy, and I notice alot that the recruits tend to forget the stuff they learned early on. Since we usually do ladders in the first and second week, by the 12th week, they haven't been using ladders as much and tend to forget the basics. So when test time comes, they are scrambling for extra help. Just try and keep reviewing the stuff you learned along the way, and keep practicing in your down time. Believe me, it will help. Good luck!! Any questions, don't hesitate to ask..


Thanks will do. Gunna grind it in my head.

[Dalmatian190]

I'd keep the diary.

I wouldn't post it until you've graduated, and have some time on the job to reflect on the training and can go back an edit it.

Don't know where you're going through the Academy, but if your instructors don't know about the blogging, they soon will -- the fire service is a small community.

And you may say something, inadvertnently, the pisses off the wrong person and makes someone decide to ride your ass harder.

Remember -- you're at a stage in your career where you don't even know yet what you don't know...and that includes internal department politics.

Just some advice

[cwell22]

I'd keep the diary.

I wouldn't post it until you've graduated, and have some time on the job to reflect on the training and can go back an edit it.

Don't know where you're going through the Academy, but if your instructors don't know about the blogging, they soon will -- the fire service is a small community.

And you may say something, inadvertnently, the pisses off the wrong person and makes someone decide to ride your ass harder.

Remember -- you're at a stage in your career where you don't even know yet what you don't know...and that includes internal department politics.

Just some advice


agreed. cya guys later

[beamclamp]

Ok no venting!

Then started to learn about ladder carries and actually did the state required evolution. Not timed but closely checked. It seems pretty simple really. I mean really really simple.

I went to the same school.A little advice. Don't take anything for granted. You probably know by now that the ladder part is the last part of part A. So by the time you get to it you will be tired/winded. Don't walk your towers, run them if you can. Don't pull one hose pull two, at a time, from the old burn building to the road. All of that PT isn't for show. When you get done with it and you're just focusing on state you'll be glad you busted you butt during PT.