The FDNY’s latest graduating class of 310 probationary firefighters had the lowest drop-out rate in years, but some question whether the training was watered down.
The class started with 324 and lost only 14 due to resignations, failure or injuries — a 4 percent drop-out rate, sources said. The usual dropout is 10 percent or more.
Insiders cite a shake-up at the FDNY training academy with brass pushing for greater numbers of minority and female probies to pass. The city is under a court order to boost minority hiring.
“Everybody graduates,” one described the mandate.
Another source familiar with FDNY training believes the overall regimen, which includes academics, individual firefighter tasks, and an obstacle course with multiple challenges, has eased. “The current administration has put people in place who have relaxed the instruction intensity. If there’s a focus on just passing instead of trying to excel, you reduce the risk of injuries that result in fewer graduating,” he said.