The first of 99 new firefighters set to join ACT Fire & Rescue over the next five years started training this week (from 1 February).
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman said 20 ACT Fire & Rescue recruits make up the first of two classes for 2021, kickstarting the five-year recruit program.
Mr Gentleman said the new recruits would bolster the Territory’s firefighting ranks and be placed in stations right across the ACT.
Commissioner of the ACT Emergency Services Agency Georgeina Whelan said she was glad to see the new recruits who would bring such a wide-range of expertise to the Agency.
“It’s great to see a class with such diverse backgrounds,” Commissioner Whelan said.
“We have members who have previous firefighting experience with Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service through to experience in landscaping, health, accounting and defence, just to name a few,” she said.
“I am excited to see that among this group we have four women who, if successful in recruit college, will join the 18 female firefighters we have across the territory.”
Commissioner Whelan said it was encouraging to see more and more women joining the ranks of what had historically been a male dominated industry.
Acting Chief Officer of ACT Fire & Rescue, Glenn Brewer said that one of the new female firefighting recruits brought with her firefighting experience and skills from Fire and Rescue NSW.
