I passed my FF1 Class!!

The written exam was 3 weeks ago followed by two burn sessions. The practical exam were held Saturday 5/8. I posted this in a deaf-related forum for firefighters.
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The exam itself was structured as follows:

You had to pass 100% of 7 skills stations that were established. In the beginning of the day, you were given a card with the different skill stations listed on it which gave you time in the beginning to study. At the end of each skills station, you were to be asked if you would've changed anything. If you knew you made a mistake, you can "explain" what you did wrong and articulate what and why it was wrong and how you would've fixed it. If you failed any station, you were given the opportunity to re-test only once. If you failed 3 stations, you were automatically disqualified from the session.

Ours sessions yesterday were:

1. SCBA/PPE - Must put on both within 2 minutes

2. Interior Fire Suppression - In The drill tower, hook up the high-rise pack, extinguish the fire, and ventilate the room using the hydraulic method.

3. Exterior Fire Suppression - this was a simulated car fire.

4. Ropes and Knots

5. Search and Rescue - This was in the 2 1/2 building. No fire or smoke. We simply turned our hoods around.

6. Fire Hose - Identifying attack lines, supply lines, different appliances, and performing one supply hose lay and one preconnected attack line lay.

7. Straight Ladders - How to carry, how to throw the ladder, how to inspect/maintain and identifying the different parts of the ladders.

I had my interpreters with me all day as I've had them with me for 90% of the class.

There were a few situations that came up:

1. I screwed up big time when I did the hose lay. This was a class that I'd missed due to illness. When the station was done (and I knew I'd messed it up), the evaluator asked if I'd change anything. I told him the lay was not properly done and that I should've done X and X. He nodded and told me to return to command. I fully expected to have to re-do the hose loads but I did not have to re-test at all.

2. TALK TALK TALK to the other candidates who are coming back from their stations. Find out what mistakes they made and what you should and shouldn't do. If I hadn't done so, I probably would have forgotten that you need to use a pike pole to clear glass from a window instead of a different tool. Some people aren't aggressive when they want their interpreters to sign other conversations. Take the initiative and do so.

3. If you are HURT for any reason, tell the command post. One student received minor steam burns as a result of another candidate's imcompetence.

4. Drink plenty of water and STUDY STUDY STUDY.

Funny: When I did the ropes and knots, the gentleman who did that evaluation was VERY inquisitive about having interpreters and could NOT get over the fact that he was supposed to basically ignore them completely. (my words: treat them like ghosts.. they don't exist. Talk directly to me). But he was a fascinating person and we got to talk for a while. He remarked that I seemed to know what he wanted me to do before he even said it.

I said "its part of growing up deaf in a hearing world."

When I know what the context of a situation is, I'm going to start anticipating what the next dialogue, situation, or event will be. He found that to be fascinating and even said it would be a good lesson for many firefighters to learn.