More women than ever before graduated today (30 November) as CFA’s newest firefighters, after 19 weeks of intense training in theory and practice.
Eight women out of 30 new recruits officially became career firefighters at a graduation ceremony at the Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre Craigieburn, with more women due to graduate in the coming weeks. This milestone reflects CFA’s work to enhance the level of diversity across the organisation.
The recruits will each take up placements at one of 22 fire brigades around the state, working side by side with volunteers at some of CFA’s 35 integrated brigades in outer Melbourne and regional centres.
Firefighters will help protect regional communities of Rosebud, Ballarat City, Mildura, Mornington, Shepparton, Traralgon, Wodonga and Wangaratta.
Others will join fire stations in fast-growing outer-Melbourne areas including Hoppers Crossing, Caroline Springs, Cranbourne, Geelong City, Belmont, Hallam, Springvale, Craigieburn, Sunbury, Melton, Greenvale, Point Cook, Rowville and Boronia.
CFA Chief Officer Steve Warrington, who attended today’s ceremony, said diversity in gender and age of these recruits proved the often life-long dream of becoming a career firefighter could become reality for many different people.
“It’s wonderful to see so many women among these recruits and to see a mix of people from interstate and across Victoria. All of them bring a range of experience gained from previous careers and backgrounds,” Mr Warrington said.
“While they will graduate with the title firefighter, this job involves so much more. During the last 19 weeks these recruits have tackled everything from school education to driver training and dealing with hazardous materials incidents.
“Their extensive training, coupled with diverse backgrounds, prepares them to work effectively alongside their fellow career firefighters and volunteers.”
The recruits will contribute towards the state government’s commitment to add 350 new firefighters to CFA. The 30 recruits come from a range of backgrounds including defence, trades, sales, emergency services, mechanical, IT and education.
Mr Warrington said all of the recruits would make a meaningful commitment to the protection of lives and property in Victoria.
“Today’s graduation ceremony was all about acknowledging and celebrating that commitment of CFA’s newest career firefighters, together with their family and friends,” he said.
Two more groups of recruits will graduate before the end of the year, on 12 and 16 December.
Author: CFA Media