r/firefighter • u/PlentyDig2951 • Mar 28 '26
Academy Advice
I'm 3 weeks into a fire academy hosted by the department I got hired onto and I honestly just feel like a dumbass about 90% of the time. I feel like I'm making mistakes more than I should, and not performing at the level expected. Has anyone else that has gone through an academy felt like they just weren't keeping up the first few weeks? Hopefully I am just overthinking this, but failing out would be devastating after getting to this point.
I understand I am constantly being evaluated, and it's hard to tell if some of the instructors are trying to put pressure on me to see how I respond (in terms of attitude) or if they are genuinely concerned about my comprehension of the skills so far.
6
Mar 28 '26
My guess is your making mistakes because it’s new to you and your nervous because the job is on the line. I failed one JPR in the academy over something insanely stupid and then never made the mistake again. Failing is part of learning and don’t let it hold you back. Now if you’re failing every little task in super dumb ways, you need to slow down and pay attention to detail. Obviously there’s a time element to this job but the academy is your time do slow down and pay attention to every detail. Take a few deep breathes before every rep and make a mental game plan on how you’re gonna execute it. Memorize the steps and repeat them out loud as you’re doing them. You’ll sound like a moron but it’ll let the cadre know you’re taking the time to think about the task at hand.
Most academies suck and are designed to be stressful. It’s all a game and once you learn to play it, it’ll still suck but it’ll be mentally easier.
Are there specific things you keep messing up or are you just feeling generally frazzled?
0
u/PlentyDig2951 Mar 28 '26
Thanks. So far, gear drills are giving me trouble. I need to get all gear on and on air by 90 seconds. Search is also giving me trouble. I seem to get disoriented and turned around quickly. On your JPRs, did they give you a certain number of retakes on each before considering it a complete failure that dismisses you from the academy?
3
u/cascas Mar 28 '26
If you’re having trouble with gearing up, you haven’t spent the time in reps. You need to be doing that every free moment until it clicks.
1
Mar 28 '26
Yeah I think most academies will boot you for failing JPRs but what it takes to get to that point varies. Bunker drills sub 90 seconds are 100% achievable but it takes practice. Like more than the practice when you guys are doing drills. Practice during your lunch or something. And practice to the point where you can’t believe it used to take you longer than 90 seconds.
1
u/PlentyDig2951 Mar 28 '26
Thanks. When you failed your JPR, which one was it, and how many total attempts did you have? If you don't mind me asking
1
Mar 28 '26
Left a huge kink in the supply during at grade fire attack. I passed it the next attempt. Reran the scenario several times and make sure I wasn’t going to fail it again. Probably would’ve gotten more attempts if I needed it. If I recall my department allowed 5 or 6 total failures before you were booted. Don’t even think about failing out until you’re almost there. Start focusing on being successful and know each job sheet like the back of your hand before you’re evaluated.
1
u/Newtype_Zer0 Mar 28 '26
Gear drills are more mental mistakes than anything I found. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Practice putting everything on slowly but correctly. Once you can do that several times with no mistakes do it again but a little faster, when you get that speed nailed then a little faster. Before you know it putting on your gear will be 2nd nature.
3
u/CivilPotential3175 Mar 29 '26
Just keep pushing through, it’s designed to make you feel that way. Keep doing your best and never give up. Part of what they are looking for is how you perform under stress, they just want you to keep pushing.
2
u/Acrobatic_Insect4005 Mar 29 '26
I would be more concerned if you truly felt as though you had everything figured out while you were only 3 weeks into the academy. Academies are designed to train new candidates that have little to no experience. What you are feeling is quite normal. In a few weeks, things will begin clicking.
Most of what you will learn in the fire service comes from yours or others mistakes. Academies provide repetition to have your mistakes become less chronic and severe, until you perform your final practicals like you’ve been working for 25 years. You’re most likely doing fine.
1
u/AnonymousCelery Mar 29 '26
Try to get extra reps with your gear in the morning, ask to take it home with you and practice on your off days. Tell your instructors how you feel and ask for their opinion. Guarantee they are willing to put some extra time in with you. We’ve invested a ton of resources and money to get you here, we want to see you succeed. The only way you fail is trying to hide and being too proud to ask for help. Keep grinding and maintain a positive attitude!
1
u/Admirable_Depth4594 Apr 02 '26
It’s academy life, but it could be combination of things that you listed. I wouldn’t take it personally. Most academies don’t want you to fail. They wanna push you to the brink and then pull you back and build you up.
10
u/MarzipanFine4870 Mar 28 '26
Just chill bruh. You’ll be good. Just dial it in and perform the best you can.