11 recruits in week two of Watertown fire academy's 19-week program
Eleven recruits are in the second week of a 19-week Watertown Fire Department recruit academy, training from early morning to early evening each day, according to a published report.
By the ClickNNY North Country Desk
The Watertown Fire Department's recruit academy has entered the second week of a 19-week program, according to a report from another outlet. Eleven recruits are enrolled — 10 from Watertown and one from Plattsburgh — and they train daily from 5:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. on skills the department says they will use throughout their careers.
Training officer Chuck Waugh led recruits through ladder and knot work on Wednesday and said the schedule is kept fast on purpose, so recruits are ready to work from the moment they arrive at a scene. Recruit Ryan Bleidorn, an Army veteran, said his biggest challenge has been repetition and refining technique before the academy ends. Recruit Jared House said the group gets along well and jokes together during downtime. ClickNNY has not independently confirmed this account.
Reported by ClickNNY and reviewed by an editor before publication.
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