NEW RECRUITS JOIN FIRE FIGHTING RANKS
Published: 19th December 2013
A class of 23 new firefighters will join the ranks of Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) after graduating at the State Training College at Alexandria today.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Michael Gallacher, attended the graduation ceremony to congratulate the new recruits on successfully completing the gruelling 14-week course, which saw them assist with the October bush fires.
"The recruits have been trained in firefighting, road crash rescue, high-angle rescue, community risk management, fire technology and hazardous materials management," Minister Gallacher said.
"They’ve already been out in the field helping to set up a base of operations for regional and interstate firefighters who fought the October bush fires.
"They will now put their intensive training into action, joining suburban fire crews across the Sydney metropolitan area," Minister Gallacher said.
FRNSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said thousands of men and women applied for fire fighting 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," Commissioner Mullins said.
"Today's graduates also include a former Olympian and a number of former retained firefighters and volunteer firefighters – these are people who have taken the next step by becoming professional, fulltime firefighters."
The firefighters will take up positions across the Sydney metropolitan area, including: Blacktown, City of Sydney, Dunheved, Smithfield, Parramatta, Chester Hill, St Marys, Kellyville, Mt Druitt, Bankstown, Lidcombe, Regentville, Lane Cove, Mascot and Schofields.