Welcome to Recruit School at the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Training Academy, also known as the Public Service Training Academy (PSTA) This page is dedicated to information and education for individuals interested in learning about the training and career path of new employees to MCFRS. Candidates that have made it through the hiring process will be given a date and time to report to the training academy for their first day of work.
Recruits will be assigned to the training academy for approximately 26 weeks.The initial week will be dedicated to recruits working with human resources to fill out personal information and to receive their uniforms and safety gear. The first week recruits will be familiarized with the training academy, and introduced to their classmates and training academy staff. Below we have mapped out the 26 week schedule used with previous recruit classes. You can also read more of what to expect on a daily basis in the information provided.
You can expect the following for the 26 week recruit school.
- 1 Week Administrative Sessions
- 10 Weeks of Fire Training
- 10 Weeks Emergency Medical Service Training
- 1 Week Emergency Vehicle Training (Ambulance)
- 1 Week Hazmat & Terrorism Training
- 1 Week Software & Computer Training
- 1 Week Specialized Seminars & Training
- 1 Week Field Internship
The academy is going to be tough. Each day will start with physical training (PT). This will include strength exercises, running, pushups, and additional fitness routines. The exercises will condition your body for the rigorous activities involved with being a firefighter/rescuer.
Following physical training recruits will be given a short period of time to shower, and report for their assigned training. A lunch break will be provided midday for Recruits, and dismissal for the day varies. Typically the day ends at 5pm each day during recruit school. There are additional answers to your questions in our FAQ section below about recruit school details.
Once recruits have finished the 26 week training. Recruits will be assigned to a Fire Station in Montgomery County. Recruits will now become probationary employees. Probationary employees will be assigned a mentor, and will begin additional training to reinforce the skills learned during recruit school.