South Wales Fire and Rescue Service celebrates newest cohort of Wholetime Firefighters
On Friday 22nd November, a Passing Out Parade was held at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s Cardiff Gate Training and Development Centre, to congratulate 22 Wholetime Firefighters that have successfully completed the six-week conversion course.
The event is a rite of passage for all Firefighters once they finish their course and become fully competent and was an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on their achievements in company of their family and friends.
Showcasing a snapshot of the skills they have learnt as On-call Firefighters and further developed during the conversion course, the recruits demonstrated scenarios involving a road traffic collision (RTC) extrication, ladder rescue, trauma and breathing apparatus (BA).
Following the demonstrations, Station Manager Nev Thomas opened the ceremony by congratulating the recruits and thanking them for their perseverance and determination: “Throughout the course you have shown a wonderful, positive attitude, wanting to learn and asking questions to give the public the service they expect and deserve”.
The recruits were awarded their completion certificates and awards by Chief Fire Officer Fin Monahan.
Chief Fire Officer Fin Monahan said: “This is just the beginning of your journey; I look at you as the future of the Service. Taking the skills you have learnt over the six weeks and time as an On-call Firefighter.”
“I have really enjoyed that this is a family event, hearing the cheering and support outside, I’d like to thank families, instructors and everyone who has helped shape these amazing people”. Firefighter Daniel Rosser received the Recruits’ Recruit award, which is presented to the recruit who, in the opinion of their fellow course members, has contributed the most throughout the six-weeks’ training.
Firefighter Jacob Hillman was awarded the silver axe, a long-standing tradition across the UK Fire and Rescue Service is chosen by the lead instructors and awarded to the highest achieving recruit on the course.
Further congratulations were passed to recruits from Commissioner Kirsty Williams: “Today marks the end of six weeks of hard work and dedication, you are all role models in your communities, showing your commitment to be there for people during some of the worst times.”
Firefighter Alys Lynch said: “The training really upskilled on the basics we already have from being on-call, the water rescue was the most challenging but the enthusiasm from the group throughout was incredible.”
Firefighter Nathan Short also added: “my favourite part of the training was the water rescue, but mainly working together as a team, we will be a family forever after this”.
“I always knew I wanted to help people, when I joined the on-call cohort, I had no idea how much I would love the job.”
The ceremony concluded with a short video capturing the work the recruits have done over the past six weeks.
You can view our latest cohort of wholetime Firefighters here.