New Commissioner features in Commencement of Command ceremony at FRNSW Graduation Day - Orchard Hills
Published: 01 Dec 2023 02:16pm
A new chapter in the history of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has been written today with Jeremy Fewtrell formally recognised as the state's 23rd Fire Commissioner.
Commissioner Fewtrell has been honoured in a 'Commencement of Command' ceremony during today's Graduation Day at FRNSW's Emergency Services Academy at Orchard Hills in Sydney's west.
The occasion was marked by Her Excellency, the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of NSW, formally presenting the new Commissioner with the Commissioner's black helmet.
This historic day has also seen a new intake of 79 permanent and 193 on call firefighters officially graduate and begin a journey that will see them join stations around the state.
Within the graduation are many great family stories, with Qualified firefighter Melinda McDonald acting as Master of Ceremonies, while looking on proudly as her son, Ethan McDonald, graduated to join her as part of the Fire and Rescue NSW family.
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, said the 235 men and 37 women will be deployed all over NSW as they begin their new careers.
"It speaks volumes that the overwhelming motivation for joining Fire and Rescue NSW is to make a positive difference to the community and protect the irreplaceable: our loved ones, pets and homes," Mr Dib said.
"It takes a special type of person to dedicate their time to protecting the lives of others, and these new firefighters have been training and studying for the past 14 weeks to hone their trade."
"The 272 firefighters graduating today come from all walks of life and I congratulate all of them on their decision to join the professional emergency service organisation that is Fire and Rescue NSW."
Commissioner Fewtrell said today's graduation ceremony represents the beginning of an exciting and rewarding career for NSW's newest firefighters.
"A career at Fire and Rescue NSW offers so many diverse opportunities. Our firefighters are ready to support our community at their time of greatest need in all sorts of ways," Commissioner Fewtrell said.
"They will conduct important prevention and education activities, as well as respond to a wide range of incidents across all of our capabilities, including technical rescues and road crashes, fire and hazardous material incidents, natural disasters like floods and bush fires, and so much more."
"The firefighters graduating today have shown great determination, from the competitive application process to the demanding physical training, and they will go out into our communities armed with specialist skills to be prepared for anything."
Updated: 01 Dec 2023 02:20pm
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