Almost half of the recruits who graduated as CFA’s newest career firefighters on Friday (16 December) were already dedicated volunteers.
Twelve of the 29 graduates have been CFA volunteers, deciding to make a career of it by completing the challenging 19 weeks of training and assessment.
The group received their graduation certificates at the Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre (VEMTC) in Craigieburn Friday morning.
Graduates have moved from a range of previous careers including administration, technicians, mechanics, health, education, retail and management.
Course Coordinator Paul Hopkins said the recruits’ hard work throughout the course would allow them to hit the ground running when they start on station next week.
“This is the start of a new life for these recruits, and for many including those who have been volunteers, the culmination of a dream they have worked towards for many years,” Paul said.
“The hard work won’t stop there - from next week onwards they will be combining plenty of on-the-job training with their regular firefighting duties.
“While these recruits 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.”
They will join 20 brigades across Victoria, working side by side with volunteer members at some of CFA’s 35 integrated brigades in outer-Melbourne and regional centres.
More than half the recruits will take up postings at fire stations in regional areas of Bendigo, Ballarat City, Geelong City, Mildura, Mornington, Pakenham, Shepparton, Wangaratta and Traralgon.
Other graduates will be posted to stations in fast-growing outer-Melbourne areas including Craigieburn, Eltham, Greenvale, Melton, Frankston, Patterson River, Point Cook, South Morang, Springvale, South Warrandyte and Sunbury.
The fifth and final firefighter recruit course graduation ceremony for 2016 welcomed a range of distinguished guests including Member for Yan Yean MP Danielle Green, Hume City Council Mayor Drew Jessop, CFA Board Chairman Greg Smith and Chief Officer Steve Warrington.
Author: CFA Media