Wholetime Firefighter Recruits – Wellbeing day
On Monday 23rd September, our new Wholetime recruits were put through their paces as they started the initial 13-week SWFRS training course.
Led by instructors, on a 110-acre outdoor training facility in the mountains, 24 recruits attended a wellbeing day at Mountain Yoga in Taffs Well. Despite the huge focus on breathing techniques and mobility, this was not ‘yoga’ in the traditional sense!
Cardiff Gate Training and Development Centre Station Manager, Mark Tait said: “This is day one of the operational part of the course and the experience should stand the recruits in good stead for the rest of their training, and beyond.
“This morning we’re testing their resilience, discipline, ability to follow commands and to work together – all whilst being in stressful and uncomfortable situations.”
Kicking off with a warm-up session and a cold start in the plunge pool, morning activities included a rope climbing workshop, where the recruits acquired new skills that will be beneficial during their upcoming training at Cardiff Gate.
Teamwork skills were put to the test during the ‘Lactic Lane Challenge’ – where each group had to move five sandbags to the top of ‘Lactic Lane’ (a very steep hill) in the shortest time possible, whilst prioritising efficiency and safety.
During a team race, the recruits developed leadership skills by tackling a range of obstacles, including wall jumps and mini obstacle courses.
Other elements of the day focused on recovery, mindset, and well-being, with an emphasis on stretching and movement, ankle and knee mobility, calisthenics strength and injury prevention techniques.
Recruit Bradley Phillips said: “Everything we did translated into what we’re aiming for and what we’ll be doing on the course.
“It was a really good way to get to know each other quickly; morale was high with everyone mucking in and talking to each other.
“The rope climbing was harder than it looked, but it is all about technique and once you get that – you’re away and flying.
“I’d say my favourite part was running the sandbags up the hill; although it was hard, it was fun because of the competitive element.”
The sentiments were echoed by recruit Molly Phillips who said: “It was challenging but it helped bring people together and pushed me past my limit. There was a lot of emphasis on teamwork and the techniques we were taught will be essential for the course.”
After a focus on breathing techniques to help reduce stress and improve mood, the recruits had the opportunity to unwind and reflect over a fire at the end of the day.
Mark added: “There is nothing else in our course that will be as hard as this; they’ve really peaked, and this sets them up for the future.
“I think what we are doing here is innovative as far as the Fire Service goes and the way we treat our recruits. We are teaching them how to look after their body and mind and an awareness of stress and how to manage it, both in themselves and others.
“We need to test them and give them the life skills that enable them to achieve a long and successful career.”
Wishing all our new recruits the best of luck as they continue their training.