Meet South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s On-Call Firefighter Recruits

Fraser 

Supply teacher Fraser Cleaton was leaving work one day, when he saw the On-Call Firefighter recruitment advert on Facebook. The 22-year-old had wanted to be a Firefighter when he was growing up, and decided now was the time to apply. Fraser will soon be joining the On-Call Watch at Pontyclun Fire Station.

Jade

Mental Health Social Worker, Jade Davies, wanted to do something completely different from her day job in a psychiatric hospital. Inspired by a late friend to join the Fire Service, the 34-year-old will soon be joining the On-Call Watch at Abertillery Fire Station.

Jordan

Water Engineer Jordan Jeremiah wanted to challenge himself and give something back to his close-knit community by joining the Fire Service. The 32-year-old Water Engineer will soon form part of the On-Call Watch at Treharris Fire Station.

The On-Call Fire Fighter recruits undergo training to learn basic Firefighting skills before they can join their local Station’s crew.

Working at height – including from a 13.5 metre ladder detached from its appliance – features heavily in the week-long course, as does learning to use various type of pumps and hoses.

The recruits are introduced to 45mm and 70mm hoses, and taught the intricacies of pumping from different types of water supplies, including hydrant and open water sources such as rivers and dams.

Crew Manager and Course Instructor Jason Bissmire said: “The course is mentally and physically challenging for the Firefighter recruits. There are lots of different elements to hose management, as they learn how to introduce and connect a variety of lengths to different pump and hydrant systems.

“The course emphasis is on teamwork, and this can also be quite challenging for them, particularly because they are all from different Stations and will never have worked together before.” He concluded.