Firefighter Student Choice Between Traditional or Hybrid Basic Fire Academy at a Large Texas Fire Training Facility: A Qualitative Intrinsic Case Study

Abstract

Career firefighters in the United States must become certified, usually through a basic fire academy. Hybrid academies have become a popular variation. The problem was the factors influencing firefighter student choice of attending a traditional fire academy versus a hybrid fire academy at a large Texas fire training facility were unknown. This data could help leaders understand if student needs beyond passing certification exams are being met. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to identify the factors influencing firefighter student choice of attending a traditional fire academy versus a hybrid fire academy at a large Texas fire training facility. Choice and servant leadership form the theoretical framework. Questions explored were factors that influence fire academy student choice of a traditional or hybrid fire academy, description of the hybrid course and the traditional course by those who have graduated from a basic fire academy, and perceptions of the factors influencing fire academy student choice by leadership and faculty. Purposive sampling was used to select 15 graduates and four leaders or instructors from a large Texas fire training facility. Students and leaders or instructors completed different semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis with a five-step spiral was used with open coding to aggregate and combine data into five themes. Four themes aligned to instructor/leaders: availability, recommendation, reputation; learning style and personal qualities; life responsibilities; and social interactions. These four also aligned to graduates, with the addition of academy structure. Findings may inform needs analyses allowing academy leaders to build better student experiences.