ACT Fire and Rescue (ACTF&R) welcomed 10 new Station Officers to boost frontline responses last week (4 June), the same week ACT Policing welcomed 27 new recruits to its ranks.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman said the new ACTF&R Station Officers were taking a major step forward in their careers as firefighters.
“The 10 new Station Officers will be responsible for leading their crews and acting as Incident Managers for all types of emergencies, as well as the management and maintenance of station facilities and equipment,” Mr Gentleman said.
“These experienced firefighters undertook an intensive 16-week development program, which includes training to manage the day-to-day operations of a fire station,” he said.
“Being a Station Officer is both demanding and challenging and I congratulate each of the graduates for meeting the high standards to reach this rank.”
Mr Gentleman said the new Station Officers demonstrated great determination and were equipped with the skills to be the next generation of leaders within ACTF&R.
Mr Gentleman also welcomed the 27 new Police Recruits, to be deployed to stations across the ACT, at a graduation ceremony last week (4 June).
“They come from a range of backgrounds and experiences,” Mr Gentleman said.
“The group includes a former postal worker, an intelligence analyst, a student pilot, a forensic archaeologist and a marine mechanic,” he said.
“Their diversity and life experiences will stand them in good stead as they begin their community policing careers in the ACT.”
Mr Gentleman said the recruits, 11 women and 16 men, were from a larger class of 38 recruits who successfully completed the 24-week Federal Police Development Program which began in November.
