NY Post: New FDNY Recruits Failing in Record Numbers

Too bad the attempt to BEEF UP the ranks is not going well.  It must be a HEAVY problem for the FDNY staff. I am sure it WEIGHS on their hearts every time another recruit WADDLES out the gate. 

By the way, how many thousands of potential candidates would love to have had the chance to these unfit, unprepared drop-outs were given?  How many thousands of previous FDNY firefighters, and firefighters from departments all over the nation, worked hard to get in top physical shape for the demands of fire school and a firefighting career? 

There is no excuse for these candidates to be unfit.  I have no sympathy for these failures. 
 
FDNY, and many other departments, used to have a competitive physical exam.  Applicants took a written test and a physical ability test.  A list was then created with standing based upon combined scores.  This was not a pass or fail CPAT test. You had to be very physically fit - score high on all events - not just pass.  My father, who came into the job in the 1950s, always talked about the MONTHS he and friends worked hard - to max the physical test - just to get high enough on the list to successfully get appointed. Candidates paid out of pocket for preparation classes (Delehanty) to help them pass exams.  I believe NYPD also used to have a competitive physical entry exam.
 
Mack I am behind you 150%. 2 tours in Vietnam, paid for study help for the test, did really good, high marks. Got extra points for being a vet, more for receiving the Purple Heart. But the fucking liberals sued saying vets were given benefits not available to ordinary people. While the average guy was with Sally on an initimate basis I was with Charlie on a more intimate basis.. Vets should go to the top of ANY list, while you were running around with your life, I decided to put my life on hold and do a job so you could have your fun. We deserve the perks, want them, well join us! GG
 
from the ny post.......QUOTE...... Firefighter fitness

There are multiple inaccuracies in your story ?CourtOrdered FDNY Class Flaming Out? (March 3).

Only 21 individuals ? not ?as many as 30? ? have resigned from the current firefighter-trainee class. This is a 6.6 percent attrition rate ? essentially the same as the 6.2 percent rate we?ve had for the previous 23 classes in the last decade.

There was no court order for the promotional exam these candidates took and passed. Nor did the department ?exclude? applicants from the general population for this class. As current city employees with the FDNY, EMS personnel receive preferential hiring status over open competitive exam candidates, as required under state civil service law.

There has been no change in the required mile-and-a-half run, which must be done in under 13 minutes.

Nearly 300 men and women in this class are working hard every day to get through this difficult 18-week training program.

Most of them will succeed and in several months will be working in firehouses throughout the city, risking their lives to protect life and property.

Frank Gribbon, Deputy Commissioner, FDNY Manhattan UNQUOTE.


 
One comment that really struck me was the lame excuse about "sitting in an ambulance for 8 to 16 hrs., when are we supposed to exercise? " Duhhhh, try it when you're off duty.  Gym, YMCA etc...
 
Deputy Gribbon does a disservice to previous classes by with his comments.

1.  The fact that the passing score for this class dropped to 72 as opposed to 97 for previous classes would seem to indicate a significant degradation of standards to fill this class.  Just think, these are the EMTs and Paramedics who the people of NYC trust their lives to - and these trained and experienced FDNY members scored significantly lower that "off-the-street" members of previous classes.
2.  The fact that 300 of the 870 tested failed the stress test indicates a shockingly low level of fitness and health in the EMS ranks - 34% failed a stress test. 
3.  When he indicated that "only 21" dropped out so far - that seemed to be OK?  For a group that seems to have a back-door entrance handed to them into the firefighting ranks to actually exceed past classes dropout rates so soon seems incredible.
4.  The fact that 166 failed the PT test the first week is shocking.  These are people who have already gone through FDNY training and who were well aware of the physical requirements. 4 pull-ups, 30 sit-ups, 30 push-up and a 13 minute 1.5 mile run (should be called a 13 minute walk) is not exactly demanding - and 166 failed.  That is a disgrace.

I don't know how you could determine the "worst FDNY class in department history" but this class most likely won't be the best.
 
When I was going through the cook county sheriff process we had to take a physical test twice. I could not believe the amount of people who failed it the second time. They had passed it the first time and failed it the second. The standard was not raised or anything. I have seen this even when I went to take my physical test for the state police here in Illinois. I dont really judge people but just by looking at some of the people there you could guess would not pass the test. Alot of people think they are entitled to things and dont want to work for them. They get the idea in there head that they can pass the test and are in great shape. Granted I also have the same thought process that I can pass the physical test and physical requirements for any test, but I also have experience and workout alot. I work out so much that my wife gets angry with me for going to the gym, I keep telling her I need to be ready for when I get that chance to be hired by a career fire dept. I am also training up to try out for army special forces and I know it is going to utterly suck and push my body passed every limit out there but I want to always strive to be the best so as my son and my other child, dont know the sex yet, can grow up and be proud of me the same way I am proud of my father. I gurantee the medics thought they would take it easy on them since they had some experience, those are the ones I would push even harder since they have the experience. If you come up with a lame execuse as to why you failed at something that just means you really didnt want it or deserve it. I have seen guys in the navy seal program barely able to run because of an injury and still pushed their bodies to keep going. Its always mind over body but there is one all important fact that is needed to succed in these top jobs as a firefighter/Police/Militatry special forces and it is called HEART. If you dont have that dont even bother trying.
 
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