New recruits join fire fighting ranks
Published: 5th September 2013
A class of 24 new firefighters will join the ranks of Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) after graduating at the State Training College at Alexandria today.
Acting Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Chris Hartcher attended the graduation ceremony to congratulate the new recruits on successfully completing the gruelling 13-week course.
"The recruits have been trained in firefighting, road crash rescue, high-angle rescue, community risk management, fire technology and hazardous materials management," Mr Hartcher said.
"They will now put their intensive training into action, joining suburban fire crews across the Sydney metropolitan area."
Mr Hartcher also presented commendations to two members of the public, taxi driver Hassan Chahrouk and Jade Safein, who together saved the life of an elderly wheelchair bound woman from her burning Merrylands West home on April 2 this year.
"In the face of extreme temperatures and thick black smoke, these members of the public displayed courage and determination. I congratulate them on their actions," Mr Hartcher said.
FRNSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said thousands of men and women applied for firefighting positions this year.
"We want communities throughout NSW to be served by a modern and dynamic firefighting workforce that reflects the diversity, culture and skills of society. We are thrilled with the response FRNSW has had to this year’s recruitment campaign and I am pleased that this class has 10 female graduates, more than we have ever had in a single recruit class," Commissioner Mullins said.
"Today's graduates also include a number of former Police Officers, trades people, and personal trainers."
The recruits will take up positions across the Sydney metropolitan area, including Blacktown, Ryde, Randwick and Neutral Bay.