just watched the first episode of the fire fighter recruit show and have mixed emotions. I have been a volunteer for over 20 years but put in my time early on training and testing for career departments. Something about the hard core aspect (hard corps?) I'm not crazy about. Where is the line between the "qualified" recruit and the "desirable" recruit? At one point towards the end they mention that this class is something like the top 28 of 2800 applicants, yet in that class, more than half can't fill out a simple survey form? There is a point where brain, not brawn, is more important, and to a degree, where dedication, not brains, is the trait needed. There is an innate skill that is common to all great, and good, firefighters, and it is not neccessarily the ability to follow USMC style training. I enjoyed the episode and look forward to following it this season (but then again, 25 years ago I LOVED the Mark&Brian tv special where the radio personalities in L.A. went through an abbreviated rookie training at an LAFD station) . I posted this because I saw some comments about the LASO series which is the first two seasons of this FOX reality show - I suspect that with a lot of these shows, the drama and editing may not reflect reality, and I worry that some will see it and believe that is the way it is everywhere - it is not. If it were, and I had seen this show when I was 17, I would never have stepped forward to volunteer, I would already have been convinced I was not worthy. take this show with a grain of salt - enjoy the learning of things you didn't know, enjoy the hint of danger (and I'm sure there will be plenty of dramatization of the simplest of fire fighter activities), but don't believe for a moment that your neighborhood fireman/woman is the tough as nails "professional" this show appears to be about to present to viewers. That said, I admire both the recruits depicted and the reality portrayed (6 years of training endangered by a pulled muscle - that hurts). And I look forward to watching newbies suffer through the training I did when I was a pup, LOL!

I stumbled upon a few episodes as I was channel surfing a few months ago. When I discovered Hulu, I recognizied the name of the show and decided to watch it. I was immediately hooked and memorized by the reality of what the recruits go through day after day.
Although I have always had a sense of respect for law enforcement officers, I now have a new found respect and admiration for them that can't be put into words. The trainers must be hard on the recruits in order to get the best out of each and every one of them.
I look forward to Season 3 of The Academy Fire Fighters.
Fox TV - JOB WELL DONE!!

This show is one of my favorite shows by far. I live 2 blocks from the Training Center on the same street and I have a lot of pride when I drive by knowing within the property at anytime of the year they are training recruits that will later serve and protect the greater Los Angeles County and all its citizens. If you live in the Whittier area the track seen in the show is open to the public after 4pm everyday for working out. Attention all woman they are hiring like crazy right now so look into it and see if this is for you, sorry guys I heard they are having somewhat of a hiring freeze for us till enough woman get hired so we have to wait. Keep watching the show and next time you see a Law Enforcement Officer remember they are human too and they do it to protect you and the ones you love. Great Show 5 STARS.

Welcome into the mind of a police state. I dont like where this is going.
"Those who trade their freedom for security, deserve neither".

Already liking the men and women who serve our country, I was hoping and crossing my fingers for this series to 'WOW' me. Guess what, it did! From the First episode of Season 1 to the last episode of Season 2, after seeing The Academy, it should raise your respects and expectations for the men and women of law enforcement for everything they are put through to earn their badge and honor to protect us domestically.
All in all, after the first episode, you should be able to tell if you are going to continue with the series or not because it has all of the elements of Reality TV - in relation to the law enforcement community. It's an intense and fun ride to go through each recruits journey becoming an LASD.
Rest assured, the ones that get dropped out or kicked out deserve to go through 'separation' because frankly, I wouldn't want the bottom rung to get through graduation and have to come to my rescue unprepared and unfit.
5-THUMBS UP!

Just finished watching both seasons.. highly recommended.

Voluntary brainwashing, programming, power trips, and ego. If you're into those kinds of things, by all means, watch.

Where is/are episode(s) 9 and 10? there is no lisyed posting date like other shows. Og well this is an amazing show nonethe less