Recommendation: Season Pass.
The Academy: Orange County Fire premieres Sat., Oct. 24, 9p/8c
“I’m expecting the worst, and hoping for better.”
So says a recruit on this season’s The Academy:Orange County Fire, premiering on Fox Reality Channel, Saturday, Oct. 24, 9p/8c.
As the premiere episode unfolds, one question goes through your mind – why.
Being a firefighter isn’t known for it’s high pay, which definitely makes this fascinating to watch. The show focuses on 28 recruits, who go through an almost military like, super tough, 18 weeks of training. The recruits are prepared for what is definitely one of the most dangerous, and one of the most unrewarding jobs you can have. Sure, there are personal rewards to serving your community, but let’s face it – the public in general doesn’t think about their fire department until the flames are shooting out of their windows.
The 28 recruits on the show were selected from 2800 applicants. They were already the best of the best, and still, most will not go on to serve as Orange County Fire Fighters. The recruits are tested – both physically and mentally. There is very little margin for error. The academy instructors want to make sure those who graduate will be able to fight fires, and in turn save lives. Like military training, this means putting the recruits in some stressful situations. After all, if they can’t handle the stress of training, how will they handle it in real life when the stakes mean life or death?
In case you weren’t aware, southern California is known for it’s wildfires. Their big, their hot, and it’s a huge risk to fight them. They are treacherous.From 2000-2005 alone there were over 5,500 fires in southern California. They continue to this day.
There are a lot of reality shows on television, and most are not ‘real’. People are put on islands, locked up together in a house, or asked to live with a new spouse for a week. Those shows are pretend, this show is real.
Which brings us back to our first question. Why? You can’t watch the show without figuring out the answer right away. Anyone who becomes a firefighter is made of a different kind of stuff than the rest of us. They’ve got bravado, courage, and a need to do something better than themselves. Their families must wait on the sidelines, hoping they’ll come home okay.
The Academy: Orange County Fire brings viewers up close and personal with real life drama and intense action that shouldn’t be missed. This is one reality show that deserves a Season Pass on your Tivo.
Note: We’re not sure of the status of current shows on Fox Reality, as it was just announced that the channel is ending soon. We’ll update you with more information as we get it.
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