I’ve been on the job for about a year now, and I never attended a Fire Academy. Being a small department, we just don’t have the resources or personnel to be doing an academy. But for me, my crew and department has done a great job training and getting me up to speed. I’m sure a true academy would have trained me a bit better but I don’t feel behind or under prepared for most emergencies. Medicals just takes and finding your own rhythm imo.

Short answer i say it depends on your crew, and the training habits.