A passing out parade celebrating the hard work of Norfolk’s newest six full-time firefighters has been held in Norwich.
Senior Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service staff, friends and families of the new recruits gathered at the Training Centre in Bowthorpe today (Friday).
Over the last 12 weeks, the whole time staff have been through a rigorous practical and written training plan to learn the key skills of the job.
Their training will now continue as four of the new firefighters join Watches in Great Yarmouth, with one going to King’s Lynn and another to Thetford, where they will be in development for the next couple of years.
As well as learning how to use the equipment and breathing apparatus as part of their course, they have taken part in activities including:
- Simulating a high-rise tower block fire
- Training with MOD fire colleagues at RAF Mildenhall
- Mock road traffic collisions
- Water rescue
During the passing out parade, the fire fighters demonstrated their new skills by carrying out mock scenarios including a road traffic collision, car fire, building fire and a rescue from a height.
Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, Chairman of Norfolk County Council’s Communities Committee, said: “It’s great to meet the new fire fighters. Their work in keeping the communities of Norfolk safe is so valuable to all of us.
“As well as dealing with fires, their jobs extend to preventing fires, protecting businesses and buildings, rescuing people and animals, managing road traffic collisions, dealing with hazardous materials and floods.
“We recently saw the huge contribution the service made with the storms in January and the Beast from the East, where dedicated fire teams worked around the clock to keep our communities safe.”
Chief Fire Officer David Ashworth said: “Today marks the start of their journey and I wish the new recruits well in their careers with our fire family at Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service.”
Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service is continuing to recruit for on-call (retained) staff. They work part-time and provide vital cover to keep Norfolk’s rural communities safe. For more details about those positions visit: www.norfolk.gov.uk/safe
Slideshow images:
Cllr Margaret Dewsbury and Cllr Mark Kiddle-Morris, chairman and vice-chairman of Norfolk County Council’s Communities Committee, meet the latest whole time recruits at Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service before their passing out parade.
New firefighters celebrate passing their initial training
CFO David Ashworth and Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris present a certificate to one of the new recruits.
