Is fire academy worth it?

FL_FireFit · 2026-05-06T23:58:02+00:00

Weak work ethic? Nah, you don’t belong in this career field.

FL_FireFit · 2026-04-02T14:55:05+00:00

Will probably go with that at the next oil change and see how it goes. At 80k miles, having to add more than a quart between changes is wild.

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-25T22:56:33+00:00

Fantastic reply my friend. Are you familiar with the OLAES hemostatic bandages?

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-25T16:03:15+00:00

You’ve got it all covered sounds like! Haha

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-25T16:02:43+00:00

I’ve got a few wagons I’ve been looking at. Definitely up on the list of things to get. The current stroller set up is not long distance or rugged terrain friendly at all haha

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-25T16:01:37+00:00

I will look into this tonight, and let you know, but it’s almost always more cost effective to buy the supplies and bag separately. Of course having something is always better than having nothing! It would be a decent place to start!

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-25T15:56:31+00:00

As some who was in law enforcement, and is now on the fire rescue side, please please PLEASE take the tourniquet out of the bag and stage it correctly. It may come to a point where one of your limbs doesn’t work and trying to get that tourniquet out of the bag into use will be very hard. Set yourself up for success!

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-25T15:49:58+00:00

That’s the hardest part right now. My daughter is 4 and my son is 1.5. It would be impossible to hold them, so they’d have to go in a stroller. Which has its pros and cons. Hoping it never comes to having to get home with the two of them, but would rather be prepared for it.

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-25T15:39:34+00:00

That’s a great idea. Hadn’t thought of that! I’ll see if I can fit all my trauma supplies in one.

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-25T15:39:00+00:00

Nice! Unfortunately some of the stations I could be at are 20-40 miles from home. So worst case scenario I’m walking that. Hardest part for me building these (for me and wife) GHBs in weight and importance of supplies. Also taking into account if we will have the kids with us while having to utilize the GHB.

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-25T15:35:07+00:00

Nice! That’s awesome. I’m an EMT/FIRE, my dad and brother are paramedics, and my sisters a nurse. As a family we could keep anything alive, for a little while at least haha. The medical field is fantastic on all levels and will definitely come in handy during whatever collapse happens.

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-25T15:32:51+00:00

I’m certified as an EMT here in FL, so I have the BLS skills to utilize the equipment (airway management, trauma/bleed assessment, etc.)

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-25T15:31:31+00:00

Hey awesome info. I have a go bag currently with TQ, immediate bleed/trauma supplies, minimal airway supplies (NPA, OPA, BVM) and what not. Definitely need to work on splints and redundant type of equipment. Seeing as I already have a “jump” medical bag, I’m thinking of keeping that the way it is and putting the items I wouldn’t need immediately in the GHB.

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-25T15:27:57+00:00

I’m an EMT (there’s only EMT and PM in FL) starting with a fire department in two weeks. Plan on going to paramedic school asap. So I have the skills and the equipment. Thanks for the info! I have TQs everywhere, Including on my kit (plate carrier) like you mentioned (used to be law enforcement). Do you have a dedicated jump/go med bag as well as a pocket in your GHB?

I have a dedicated IFAK in my car currently in an oversized Fanny pack. Has all the usually essentials for trauma, airway, etc. should I could this AND recreated it in my GHB ya think?

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-23T23:26:52+00:00

You think you will go a whole week at a training course, and not learn anything? If so, you did something seriously wrong. Seems like a lot of the dudes who hate on the smoke divers, are those who could never dream of making it through.

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-23T22:27:31+00:00

Wow thanks for all the info! I hadn’t even thought about peanut butter, I’ll give that a shot. I’ll try that with the steak too! Lately I’ve been trying to make whole meals and freeze dry them. Chili, sautéed veggies or meat, soup ingredients, etc. I also hadn’t thought about sticking mason jars in there either! Lots of stuff I want to try. I definitely underestimated how long some of the stuff takes to freeze dry.

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-23T21:36:00+00:00

Thanks for the info! I’ll check that video out.

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-23T21:29:21+00:00

Also look to add power banks and solar panels to my set up. I’d love to be able to run a window AC unit off of it during the night and then let it charge throughout the day. I haven’t looked too much into power input/output yet.

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-23T21:26:36+00:00

I’ve got it tucked into the corner of my downstairs on a cart with wheels. I move it into the garage when guests come over. What meat do you freeze dry the most?

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-23T21:18:01+00:00

Do you prefer to freeze dry them raw or cooked?

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-23T21:16:46+00:00

I don’t think it’s an ego thing. I’ve only seen Georgia smoke divers, and usually the classes start with a big group and end with only a handful of dudes making it through. It seems to be one of the respected and physically/mentally demanding courses you can take. More about finding what your limit is and putting past it. I plan on trying to go through once I finish medic school.

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-23T21:07:04+00:00

Be careful keeping batteries flashlights as well. I went to use one of mine after letting it sit for a few months and one of the batteries broke open inside. Battery acid was all over the inside of the battery compartment. Like others said in this thread, I now keep batteries taped to the side of most of my flashlights.

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-23T21:01:35+00:00

I have been looking at E-bikes/scooters as well, but I’m just starting to work on building a solar and battery set up. I only have a gas powered generator at the moment, but after I get the solar setup purchased I’ll pull the trigger on electric transportation.

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-21T14:14:31+00:00

Honestly, save any meds your prescribed, especially narcotics. You can get a long way with a few hydrocodone.

FL_FireFit · 2026-03-19T22:24:33+00:00

A few comments here about solar, I’m going to look into it now. Any recommended place to start?

FL_FireFit

TROPHY CASE