Today, Saturday 8 July, marks the end of an era with CFA’s final 30 recruit firefighters graduating at a ceremony at Victorian Emergency Management Training Campus in Craigieburn.
After today (8 July) CFA and MFB recruits train and graduate together, so today’s graduation ceremony is also a celebration of CFA’s last stand-alone recruit course.
The 30 recruits will take up positions at 14 fire stations covering outer Melbourne suburbs and regional Victoria.
CFA Chief Officer Steve Warrington said today was an important day in CFA’s long and proud history.
“This is a landmark day for CFA, marking the end of CFA’s stand-alone recruit course,” he said.
“It is also an exciting time, as a new fully integrated recruit training program will be introduced later this month for all Victorian career recruit firefighters.
“This means that all Victorian firefighters will forge stronger relationships, working together right from the start of their recruit course.”
The recruits graduating today (8 July) started their 19-week course in February and have learnt and practised a broad range of skills, enabling them to successfully embark on their new careers.
Four of the 30 recruits moved from interstate, including South Australia and Northern Territory to begin their new careers as Victorian firefighters, and seven of the 30 were previously CFA volunteers.
“These recruits join the ranks of one of the most dynamic, resilient emergency service organisations in one of the most bushfire prone areas of the world,” Mr Warrington said.
“Their role – to protect lives and property will not change, and it is a role for which they are ideally equipped. They continue a legacy of CFA excellence, a legacy which will live on.
“All 30 recruits should be very proud of their efforts, as we are of them.”
The latest recruits will serve communities in Belmont, Dandenong, Eltham, Geelong City, Greenvale, Hallam, Mildura, Ocean Grove, Shepparton, South Morang, Sunbury, Traralgon, Wangaratta and Warrnambool.
Images courtesy Blair Dellemijn from Uniform Photography.
Author: CFA Media