Twenty-nine men and women are set to start a new life as career firefighters following their graduation today (6 December) from a 19-week training course at the Victorian Emergency Management Training College at Craigieburn.
After working closely together throughout the intensive theoretical and practical program, the recruits will take up placements at one of 14 fire stations around the state, where they will work side by side with volunteer members as part of CFA’s integrated brigade model.
The regional communities of Mildura, Bendigo, Warrnambool, Wangaratta, Belmont (Geelong), Mornington and Rosebud will all welcome new firefighters from next week.
Graduates will also head to fire stations at Cranbourne, Patterson River, South Morang, Springvale and Sunbury – all fast-growing areas of outer Melbourne.
CFA Chief Officer Joe Buffone said the recruits’ hard work throughout the course would allow them to hit the ground running when they started on station next week.
“This is the start of a new life for these recruits, and for many the culmination of a dream they have worked towards for many years,” he said.
“The hard work won’t stop there– from next week onwards they will be combining plenty of on-the-job training with the 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.”
Since 2011 CFA has added an additional 407 career firefighters and officers to its network of integrated brigades, primarily located in high-growth areas. There are currently 34 integrated brigades in Victoria.
The 29 recruits to graduate today come from a range of backgrounds with 12 having CFA volunteer experience.
Mr Buffone said all of the recruits had made a meaningful commitment to the protection of lives and property in Victoria.
“Today’s graduation ceremony is all about acknowledging and celebrating that commitment together with family and friends,” he said.
The graduation ceremony, marking the end of the third of four recruit courses for 2015, was attended by Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green, Shadow Minster for Emergency Services Brad Battin along with CFA Acting Chair John Peberdy, CFA Chief Executive Officer Lucinda Nolan and CFA Chief Officer Joe Buffone.
CFA will again be recruiting for new firefighters from March next year, with information sessions to be held in early 2016. Visit cfa.vic.gov.au/career for more information.
For more information, media should contact CFA Media on: 1300 CFA MEDIA.
Author: CFA Media