Newly-recruited career firefighters recently got a taste of what’s to come during their 20 weeks of intense training, at induction sessions for the new Victorian Recruit Firefighter Courses.
These are the first fully combined courses, which bring CFA and MFB-hired recruits together to learn the basics of firefighting before they are deployed to fire stations across Victoria to begin their firefighting careers.
The last of four sessions was held at the Victorian Emergency Management and Training Centre (VEMTC) in Craigieburn on Thursday, 27 July.
A total 90 recruited women and men attended the sessions, where they had opportunities to ask questions, tour VEMTC facilities and gain insight into the type of training they will undertake through watching introductory videos.
New recruits brought along their family and friends to the sessions.
Operations Manager James Dullard oversees recruit training on CFA’s behalf, as part of the agency’s 350 Firefighter Program (P350) – a Victorian Government commitment to employ 350 career firefighters by 2018.
In a video at the last induction session below, James discussed the upcoming courses, including the benefits of bringing CFA and MFB recruits together to train.
“The induction sessions are valuable because they allow new recruits to look around the training centre where they will spend the next few months,” James said.
“Importantly, it gives their families and partners the opportunity to ask questions about the courses so they can better understand the unique arrangements we have for the recruits.
“We explain the rostering system, which is a ‘four on, four off’, eight-day rotation including weekends to get recruits used to the 24/7 nature of firefighting.
“Often loved ones will also want to know how they can keep in contact with the recruits while phones are stored in lockers, so the induction session reassures them that there will always be a point of contact available at VEMTC, if and when they need to get in touch at any time.”
Recruits in Course 1 started training on Friday, 21 July, with these new career firefighters graduating from all four courses by December.
Author: CFA Media