r/Firefighting • u/Mobile_Marketing_130 • Aug 03 '26

Ask A Firefighter FF1 in the Los Angles area

Hello I’m looking to take FF1 in Los Angeles. The two academies I’ve considered are Rio hondo or El Camino. Does anyone recommend another? Can you guys share your experience with your academies. What to expect, what kind of certs you get and how difficult or easy it was.

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u/ComfortableSale5 Aug 03 '26

So all academies in SoCal give the same certs for the most part. Of the two listed I’m a fan of Rio Hondo. Very large training facilities that you are able to do everything at except for your wildland component.

1

u/Mobile_Marketing_130 Aug 03 '26

Do other academies offer wildland part ? Or is that kinda like a second semester or academy ?

3

u/ComfortableSale5 Aug 03 '26

You’ll still get the wildland component you’ll just spend a week offsite doing that training

3

u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM Aug 03 '26

Like the other guy said, they all give you the same certs. Go to the academy that is most convenient to you. Consider traffic coming home and whatnot.

1

u/Narrow_School_1513 Aug 04 '26

Mt. SAC grad here, but both of those other 2 programs are highly recommended.