Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) has welcomed a group of eight new firefighter recruits. They join the Service as the first ever cohort to undertake the Firefighter Foundation Development Programme in Cambridgeshire.
Intensive training course
Over the last two months, they have been completing an intensive training course at The Fire Service College in Gloucestershire. They will continue their development over the next 22 months, as they begin their operational careers on the station in the coming weeks.
The course put the recruits through their paces, learning how to deal with an array of emergencies including fires, rescues from water, and road traffic collisions. Their training culminated with a demonstration and pass-out parade at Moreton-In-Marsh, in front of their proud families, friends, and senior officers.
New apprentices
It’s an exciting step for the Service as our latest cohort joins us on the Firefighter Foundation Development Programme"
Chief Fire Officer Chris Strickland, who was in attendance at the pass-out parade and presented the recruits with their certificates, said, “I am pleased to be able to welcome the latest group of wholetime firefighter recruits to the Service. It’s an exciting step for the Service as our latest cohort joins us on the Firefighter Foundation Development Programme as apprentices."
“Over the last two months, they’ve been learning the wide range of basic skills required to be an operational firefighter."
operational firefighter skills
"Much of the training so far has been focussed on preparing to respond to operational emergencies, which requires a great deal of preparation. As modern-day firefighters, they will now also get to grips with working proactively in our local community, helping to educate residents to keep safe.”
“We wish them the best of luck for the remainder of their apprenticeship, and hope they enjoy helping us to make Cambridgeshire a safer place to live and work.”
recruits
Cambridge Fire Station
- Andy Hill (42) – Before becoming a wholetime firefighter, Andy was an on-call Watch Commander at Sutton fire station.
- James Parish (34) – James is also an on-call firefighter and previously worked as a software developer for the Service.
- Richard Rowe (29) – Richard joins the Service following a career as an aviation firefighter and has also been an on-call firefighter in Ely for 18 months.
- Tom Morley (38) – Tom is from Cambridge, and has worked in the construction industry.
- Mark Brearley (29) – Mark is from Yaxley, and before joining the Service was a rehabilitation specialist.
Huntingdon Fire Station
- Aaron Dunmore (22) – Aaron has been an on-call firefighter in Whittlesey for 3 years. He also worked as a commentator and manager at Peterborough Greyhounds.
- Colin Duff (40) – Colin is a former MOD firefighter and has been an on-call firefighter in Yaxley in the past.
St Neots Fire Station
- Andrew Fenwick (26) – Before joining the Service, Andrew was a tree surgeon and outdoor educator.
