Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner welcomes new Firefighters
Essex welcomed eleven new firefighters at a passing out event at the Service Training Centre in Witham on Friday 27th July 2022.
Having successfully completed fifteen weeks of intensive training, the new recruits demonstrated the skills they have learned in front of senior officers, friends and family members.
During their training they covered theoretical and practical aspects including a specialised programme that incorporated breathing apparatus, road traffic collisions, flashover and backdraught, fire protection, decontamination and trauma.
The group also spent time with the Safer Communities and Technical Fire Safety teams to better understand the important preventative work the Service carries out within our communities.
Also passing out at the event and displaying their newly acquired skills were six Fire Control Operators.
Fire Control Operators provide the vital link between the public and operational Firefighters. They answer 999 calls, have direct contact with other emergency services, and are trained in the use of a dynamic mobilisation system to deploy resources across the County.
As well as learning the fundamentals of taking calls, mobilising and using the radio, they spent time at fire stations, had presentations on cylinders, water rescue, National Interagency Liaison, Inclusion and Diversity, Safeguarding, and Detection, Identification and Monitoring.
Attending the event, Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Jane Gardner said: “Congratulations to our newest wholetime firefighters for successfully completing their training. These Passout events are a fantastic opportunity for new Firefighters to showcase the skills they have learned in the past sixteen weeks and for us to demonstrate our appreciation for the role they will go to play in helping to keep us all safe.
“I was also thrilled to have the opportunity to meet the new Fire Control Operators. They play such a critical role in coordinating response to incidents, and it was great to have the chance to thank them personally.
“I wish them all the very best in their future careers in the Fire and Rescue Service.”
Read more here: Fire Service welcomes new firefighters and control staff (essex-fire.gov.uk)
