After three months of training, 28 new recruits have been welcomed into Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) at a graduation ceremony today in Townsville.
Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Craig Crawford said the graduating class will provide a significant boost to frontline firefighting services across the state.
“With some of the best training in the world, these new recruits are now ready to don their helmets and protect communities,” Mr Crawford said.
“All recruits have completed specialised training units for live fire behaviour, road crash rescue, technical rescue and hazardous materials management.
“This culminates in the presentation of a Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations), qualifying these men and women to wear the QFES uniform.”
QFES Acting Commissioner Mike Wassing said he was extremely proud of the recruits for embarking on a rewarding and challenging career.
“Whether being a firefighter was a childhood dream, or a recent goal, each recruit today has achieved it,” Mr Wassing said.
“As firefighters, the graduates will now venture out across Queensland and work with the community, respond to accidents and confront disasters.
“Today is just the beginning of their journeys and QFES will support our newest firefighters as they make a difference in communities across the state.”
Recruit Daniel Cooper, who will be based in the Brisbane Region, said he was excited to get out to a station and begin his career with QFES.
“Finishing the course is really exciting because now we get to enjoy the reward for months of hard work,” Mr Cooper said.
“It will be good to put the skills we’ve learnt into action and learn what life as a firefighter will be like.
“I’m looking forward to going out to jobs, serving with my peers and giving back to the community.”
Fellow recruit Robin Hocking said he will be heading to Maryborough after living in Townsville for nearly 10 years.
“I couldn’t be happier to be stationed in the North Coast Region after completing my training in Townsville,” Mr Hocking said.
“We’ve had the opportunity to use local resources here, like Crystal Creek and Mount Stuart to learn technical and swift water rescue.
“It’s been a childhood dream to be in a fire truck and I’m really looking forward to the spontaneity of the job and applying the skills I’ve learnt.”
Recruits will continue their studies over the next two years, completing a Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) and a Certificate III in Public Safety (Community Safety).
