From Live Fire to 24-Hour Shift: Olean Fire Academy Class Completes Rigorous Final Training Block

Olean, NY - A new class of career firefighter candidates concluded their comprehensive 14-week training academy on Thursday, clearing their final tactical milestones ahead of formal graduation.

On August 27, recruit firefighters with the City of Olean Fire Department in Cattaraugus County completed weeks 13 and 14 of instruction, marking the final full day of active academy curriculum before entering the frontline ranks.

Over the final two weeks, the recruits underwent intensive, multi-discipline instruction covering municipal code enforcement, commercial building familiarization tours, advanced live-burn fire behavior, vehicle extrication techniques, fire origin and cause investigation, and automotive fire suppression.

To simulate the operational realities of professional firehouse life, the class also completed a demanding 24-hour shift evolution during their final week. The overnight exercise required recruits to execute complex fireground evolutions under limited-visibility and nighttime conditions, testing their physical endurance, decision-making, and stress management over extended operational hours before taking their official oaths of service.