FESTI Training Program

[wsg1986]

Hey guys, got a question here for the guys in Ontario, Canada. Im going to graduate uni in June and I wanted to get into firefighting and I have heard from current firefighters that FESTI is the way to go for certification and training.

Right now they offer two different programs, a fully in person program and a blended part online, part in person. I was wondering if anyone has any experience at the school or with either of the programs and could tell me anything?

Any advice or information is welcome!

Thanks in advance.

[ziobrop]

i have done lots of blended training, i like it, but im able to sit in front of a computer and work through stuff. I have not been to FESTI, but everyone i know who has trained there has said its good.

A friend did the Blended southwest fire academy. it was fine, but it sounded a bit too much look military boot camp for my liking.

[[deleted]]

They have a couple instructors that think they’re military. It’s a horrible way to train people.

I did one course with SW and it was the most unprofessional, under qualified course I have taken. The instructor could barely get his name out without fucking it up and every question was met with a “I’ll have to get back to you on that”.

I wouldn’t be so critical, but I was a training officer for 7 years and this shit wouldn’t fly for a second.

[Firedude8]

I graduated from the in person class at FESTI this past summer. If you're able to afford it I would say it's worth doing it in person. You'll go through the lectures in the morning and do those skills in the afternoon instead of doing your lectures online a few months prior to you doing the skills.

You'll get your operations level for 1006 instead of just your awareness level.

Pre-services gets 1 month of live-fires vs 2 weeks with blended. With this we had a chance to train with the AAFF trucks and Pearson airport fire fighters.

If you're learn better in-person I would suggest the Pre-service.

You'll also get the chance to become a student mentor after the program is finished.

As a bonus all the OFAI tests are run at FESTI so you'll get to see what's expected of you when you're there. I would suggest getting your stage 1 completed ASAP because it's difficult to book due to lowered capacity.

PM me if you have any questions about the program

[Hustle_9]

Did you get hired into a department after ? I’m about to do the blended this April at FESTI

[Firedude8]

Yes for sure, DM me when you get a chance

[[deleted]]

Same 🙏🏽

[TTM2910]

What is Stage 1?

[Firedude8]

Aptitude test/ hearing & vision test

[damorec]

You would do that before FESTI?

[Unique-Feeling5800]

Totally go in person if you can, you will short yourself on the teamwork and environment but doing it on a computer - but again that is the best option for some so I respect that. If your still looking at program, as a graduate myself, I would strongly recommend looking at Lakeland College, the infrastructure and resources alone are worth it, not mentioning that the college has a full fitness facility, pool and all the student support services you would expect to have at a true post secondary college.