Western Australia’s firefighting frontline is heating up with 29 recruits graduating from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ 90th Trainee Firefighter School.
Completing an intense 21-week training course, some recruits travelled from as far as the United Kingdom to join in.
Welcoming and congratulating the new firefighters, Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the new firefighters had to have “an incredible amount of work and sacrifice” to achieve their firefighting goals.
“”Each of the recruits has proven they have what it takes to keep the community safe,” Mr Dawson said.
“These recruits understand their job goes beyond fighting fires, and they have already taken steps to perform their role in community education through school visits.”
Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said working in emergency services was an opportunity to make a real difference in the community.
“It’s wonderful to see such a diverse range of skills and experience among the latest trainee firefighter school,” Commissioner Klemm said,
“With the bushfire season just over two months away, the 29 new firefighters will make a fantastic contribution towards a safer Western Australia,” he said.
“I wish them all the best as they embark on their new careers in the coming weeks.”
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said the graduates were selected from more than 1,200 applicants.
“Their diverse professional backgrounds will bring a unique set of skills and experience to the State’s emergency services,” the Department said.
“Among the cohort joining the Career Fire and Rescue Service, is a former nurse, a teacher, an electrician and six emergency services volunteers,” it said.
“The school also featured several people who have emigrated to WA, including a female firefighter from the United Kingdom, a television producer from Victoria, and former Defence Force personnel from the Northern Territory.”
It said the 26 men and three women were put through their paces in a gruelling practical and theoretical training program, designed to prepare them for responding to fires, HAZMAT incidents and road crash rescues.
“The trainees are now equipped with skills to perform heavy rescues, respond to structure fires requiring breathing apparatus, manage injuries at an incident, and provide marine fire support,” the Department said.
It said each of the recruits would begin their service at various locations across the State including Perth, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, and Albany.
Information about taking on firefighting as a career can be accessed at this PS News link.
