I Made It......Fire Academy

[Halligan80]

Well after five years and two unsucessful attempts, this being my third......






I made my local Municipal Fire Acadmey....I start the 27th.

[ffmvfd7]

Congrats man...... Its always nice hearing people got the job they've been trying so hard to get!!!

I'm waiting on a phone call myself!!!!:D

Again........ Congrats and remember..... Stay Low!!!!!

[Wentz34]

Congrats to you!

[AHAPPYMOM]

Congratulations! I love reading good news.

[Zachary615]

Congrats I know it must be great!

[Halligan80]

Thanks guys.

Good luck to all of you in your pursuit!

[station75]

Well after five years and two unsucessful attempts, this being my third......






I made my local Municipal Fire Acadmey....I start the 27th.

Are you putting yourself through, or are you being put through by the Department you work for? In CA, the Municipal or Community College Fire Academies allow people to go through as long as they meet certain educational requirements. You don't necessarily have to be hired by a Fire Dept.

Anyways, congratulations, getting through an Academy is not only a great accomplishment, but a great experience too. Went through mine nearly 30 years ago and still have several friends I keep in contact with. I almost enjoyed going through mine as much as I have teaching at them.

[ffbam24]

Congratulations!
This is where the fun begins!
Remember, the learning doesn't stop once you're done with the academy.
Do the right thing.

Good luck,
bam

[CALFFBOU]

Good job- Here are some articles I share often in here. The first one is from the Torrance FD (ISO Class 1) in Southern California. After the academy and youre on the job, hit me up for the other nuggets...Bou


TORRANCE FIRE DEPARTMENT

SUCCESSFULLY SURVIVING YOUR RECRUIT TRAINING

The following guidelines will help you be a successful recruit on the Torrance Fire Department. Many of you have various levels of experience and training which will be valuable to the Torrance Fire Department in the near future. But as a recruit (new employee), your probationary period will be much more pleasant if you can demonstrate patience in displaying your talents and skill until you’ve learned what we want you to know.


BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES FOR THE TRAINING TOWER

1. Do ask questions if you do not understand.
2. Do take every opportunity to help to help one another develop into a team.
3. The “Double Time Trot” is accepted mode of transportation from one place to another while outdoors.
4. Tardiness or unexpected absenteeism will not be tolerated in the fire service, period. Better to be a hour early than a minute late.
5. Arriving for duty unprepared will demonstrate the qualities necessary for a new career elsewhere.
6. A lack of aggressiveness in manipulative work will shorten your basic training period significantly.
7. Disregard for safety will get you canned.
8. Standing with your hands in your pockets will raise questions about your respect for authority and your level of attention.
9. Profanity and/or spitting on the ground will get you a job with someone else.
10. If it doesn’t move, clean it. If it does move, address it as “Sir”.
11. Don’t attempt to socialize with regular members of the department during the basic training period.
12. Show respect for all co-workers at all times.
13. Hustle, shine and always look good.

[CALFFBOU]

Second one- Source unknown.

----------ACADEMY WASHOUTS-------------

Poor attitude
1. IGM'rs (i got mine) -> if you are one of those get rid of that attitude or instructors will sniff you out easily.
2. Be a listener not a teacher. If you know something then share it between your classmates at lunch time. Dont suggest something to a instructor about a trick you learned as an "Explorer" or from another department. Remember you are trying to pass the tests (manipulative and academic)the "tower way" not the "field way"
3. Keep your mouth shut and ears open. Only chit chat with your buddies at lunch time, dont join in conversations that shouldnt be going on in the first place.
4. Dont talk bad about your instructors or your fellow cadets.
5. Dont make excuses, If you screw up then you screw up, dont apologize for it, just move on and dont repeat it
6. Dont go out with your buddies on the weekends to bars and clubs to "take a break", thats how people get introuble. DUI's, FIGHTS, LEWD CONDUCT
7. Do not try to brownnose your instructors. They are not your friends nor will they ever want to be so just have a common respect and take it from there.
8. Remember you are there for a badge not to gain more friends so keep the non tower related talk for after you left drill tower grounds.
9. Support your fellow cadets as much as you would want to be supported. You will not make it through without their help and visa versa.

Physical Conditioning
1. The first 3 weeks of our academy were some of the worst weeks. Seemed like they wanted to weed the people who couldnt take it out. We had 13 people quit in the 1st week and half, alot of those in the 1st 2 days. The physical agility test was not even close to the exhertion you go through in the tower. You go home daily sore/bruised/strained and your body never has a chance to recover from it so its more like being in good enough condition where your body can adapt to it (its hard to imagine but trust me it happens) Be in the best shape you can imagine possible, if you dont your going to get hurt.

Mental conditioning
1. After the first 4 weeks of our 19 week academy it started sinking in that we are going to be here for a while. Its mentally draining, you gotta stay focused and positive or you will never make it. Its extrememly stressfull when you gotta do a manipulative drill and your job is on the line for it, for example throwing a ladder or performing a hose lay (believe me everyone in my tower had to do something where there job was on the line at least once and sometimes more and i guarantee it will happen at least once to you)Remember you are your own worst enemy

Academic
1. You get exposed to alot of information about a lot of things in the tower and your expected to know it and you will be tested on it daily and sometimes weekly. Some people failed out because of academics, take it seriously, forget your buddies for a few months and your girlfriend. Stay home, and hybernate with your notes, its your best chance for passing.

Hope this helps a little bit. Good luck to all and remember this when your in the tower - "There is thousands of people out there who would kill to be in your position right now, dont give them your badge"

[frenchfireball]

congrats Halligan80,i wish you the best for the academy:fun and pranks and more seriously:friends or bros.

good luck.

[Halligan80]

Are you putting yourself through, or are you being put through by the Department you work for? In CA, the Municipal or Community College Fire Academies allow people to go through as long as they meet certain educational requirements. You don't necessarily have to be hired by a Fire Dept.

Anyways, congratulations, getting through an Academy is not only a great accomplishment, but a great experience too. Went through mine nearly 30 years ago and still have several friends I keep in contact with. I almost enjoyed going through mine as much as I have teaching at them.

Station75,
I am actually getting paid by the City to attend the Academy. I can't wait. I have talked to some of the guys already and they seem as happy and excited as me.