Attending NYS Fire Academy before getting hired

[JDK224]

I am looking for information on attending the NYS Montour Falls Fire Academy (RFFT) before getting hired full time.

Has anyone on here done this and if so, did it help you in getting a full time job in NY?

What does it cost and how do you go about signing up? I assume you need to be sponsored by an agency but I'm not sure.

Thanks in advance!

[pasobuff]

Yes, if there is room in the class, non-hirees ARE allowed to attend- of course you have to pay your own way. I know a couple of people who have done this and then got hired with a career dept- then the dept did NOT have to send them to the Academy.

However - if you have any departments that you are specifically looking at, check with them FIRST to see if they would accept the RFFT and not make you go through 'their' Academy again.....

This is the schedule for 2010 - first number is course number -

01-05-0038 $1670 n/a Recruit Firefighter Training (11 Weeks) Mar 1-May 13
See Web Calendar for further details Jul 25-Oct 7

Provides training established under Executive Law, Section 159-d, Part 426.6. It provides minimum, uniform, basic fire training for probationary and nonpermanent firefighters. Training covers basic firefighter skills, fire department organization, first aid, firefighting tactics and strategies, and physical fitness programs. Designed for: Probationary and nonpermanent firefighters of fire departments required to meet NYS Minimum Training Standards Course Length: 360 hours College Credit: Yes Materials Fee: $750. A special registration form and fee are required. Please contact the Academy. Course number : 01-05-0038 Course Location(s): Academy Note: Special circumstances apply. Call the Academy for further information.

The number for the Fire Academy is 607-535-7136. If you have other questions please feel free to PM me.

[JDK224]

Thanks for the info pasobuff. did you attend the academy at Montour Falls? I'm also wondering what people who went there thought of it.

[pasobuff]

Thanks for the info pasobuff. did you attend the academy at Montour Falls? I'm also wondering what people who went there thought of it.

Did I attend? LOL....I have spent many, many WEEKS/months there over the past oh, 20 years or so......more so in the past 8 years.....

Some love, it, some hate it, some find it tolerable......personally, I don't have an issue going there - there have been MANY improvements over the years.....

A little 'insider' info on the place - rooms are low-end motel, single beds, dresser, room with a view.....NO AC in the summer, although there is a table fan in each room....telephone in the room, and wireless internet is available throughout most of the building. The library there is one of the best as far as firematic reference material....Diana is awesome.....there is a workout room outfitted with all kinds of equipment, you can run outside along the (pretty quiet) roads.......training tower was built in the last couple of years - many other upgrades being done as money allows (new windows on the building etc)

Staff is friendly, food is ok - all you can eat, will accomodate special needs if required.....

Some weeks there is a lot going on, others it is a ghost town.....'Town' is right up the road - local watering holes (Buishes Bullpen has pretty good wings as does the Carraige House at the Falls Motel).....Wal-Mart up the road 5 minutes, lots or restaurants etc....oh yeah - WINE TRAIL! .lol....

Anything else I can tell you about the area?

[pasobuff]

BTW- my avatar picture was taken there up on the old tennis courts during a HAz Mat Specialist class in 2004 (?).....

[JDK224]

pasobuff, clearly you have put your time in there. thanks again for the info.

[pasobuff]

pasobuff, clearly you have put your time in there. thanks again for the info.

Any time.....BTW - if you want to go up there and NOT stay at the Academy (aka pay for a hotel) I'd recommend the Falls Motel or the Seneca Lodge.....

I'll be putting MORE time in - just registered for 2 more classes in May.....sigh.....