New on-call firefighters celebrate their pass-out parade
Last night (20/12), 15 new on-call firefighter recruits celebrated the end of their 12-week training course and start of their time on station with a pass out parade, held at Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters in Kempston.
The new recruits took the opportunity to demonstrate the skills perfected during their training to friends and family. Training includes basic fire craft, such as using ladders, hoses and jets; road traffic collision response; working at height; water first response; and trauma care.
As an on-call firefighter, their roles will be secondary to their main employment, and they will be required to quickly attend their community fire station whenever an incident occurs. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service are now looking for more applications for on-call firefighters. If you live within six minutes of any of our fire stations, why not visit our website for more information on how to apply.
Presenting the new recruits with their certificates was Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer, Andy Hopkinson. Speaking of their achievements, he said, “I am delighted to welcome the new on-Call firefighters, and I look forward to seeing their journey continue with the Service.
“This training is incredibly tough, with trainees facing complex scenarios and challenges, completely different to anything they will have encountered in previous jobs, so I would like to say a huge well done to everyone for completing this.”
Firefighter Kane Watkins, who received his certificate last night, said, “Ever since I can remember I have wanted to help people and do something meaningful. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has allowed me to achieve this.”
Congratulations to on-call firefighters Buteux, Dolgova, Scarborough, Simons, Waters, Albrecht, Brown, Compton, MacFarlan, Postles, Mansford, Potter, Stopher, Watkins and Wilson
To find out more about becoming an on-call firefighter, please visit our website: www.bedsfire.gov.uk/careers
