Raleigh Recruit Academy Historical Facts and Figures

Raleigh Recruit Academies 50 (short) and 51 (long) started this week. Here are some historical facts ‘n’ figures about the recruit academies.

Largest graduating class – Academy 48 (2002) – 49 grads

Followed by #41 (2016) with 37 grads, #42 (2017) with 36 grads, #23 (1999) with 36 grads, etc.

Smallest graduating class – Academy 1 (1978) – 7 grads

Longest academy – Academy 51 (2023) and other recent years – 32 weeks

Shortest academy – Academy 49 (2022) – 4 weeks, first RFD lateral academy

First non-lateral short academy – Academy 22 (1998) – 7 weeks

Last non-lateral short academy – Academy 46 (2021) – Before then, was Academy 30 (2004)

First “blended” academy, with non-RFD recruits – Academy 16 (1992) – Included 10 from Wake County FDs and two from Wilson FD.

Last “blended” academy – Academy 18 (1994) – Included two from Wake County FDs.

First numbered academy – February 1978

First non-numbered “academy” – February 1971, perhaps. Had 15 or more new hires. How long was their training? TBD

Earlier clusters of new hires – They go back decades. Such a five hired October 7, 1970. Then four more hired October 26 and 28, 1970. Then one more hired November 2, 1970.

First academy that required EMT certification to graduate – March 1977 (academy not numbered)

First academy to receive diplomas – Academy 1 (1978)

First academy with women – Academy 2 (1978)

First academy conducted at newly completed Keeter Training Center – Academy 7 (1982)

First academy that required EMT certification to be maintained after graduation – Academy 10 (1985)

Academies conducted in conjunction with new stations and/or companies activated:

#6 (1981) – Third (aerial) ladder company
#9 (1983) – Sta 17
#10 (1985) – Fourth (aerial) ladder company
#11 (1986) – Sta 18
#12 (1988) – Sta 19
#13 (1989) – Sta 20, fifth ladder company
#21 (1997) – Sta 21, Sta 22
#24 (2000) – Sta 23
#26 (2000) – Sta 24, Sta 25
#29 (2002) – Sta 26, Sta 27
#30 (2004) – Sixth ladder company
#32 (2005) – Seventh ladder company
#33 (2006) – Sta 28
#35 (2008) – Eighth ladder company
#40 (2014) – Sta 29, ninth ladder company

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