It's been 13 weeks since our new full-time firefighter recruits started their training and today, in front of family and friends, they demonstrated the skills they've learnt.
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service took on 20 new recruits in January this year - the first time in nearly a decade that the organisation had taken on new full-time firefighters. Today marked the end of the new recruits training course and saw them demonstrating infront of the Chief Fire Officer Dene Sanders and family and friends, the skills they have learnt. Each recruit received a framed certificate in recognition of them successfully completing the course.
As well as the recruit firefighter display, family and friends, were treated to a display from our Fire Investigation dogs, as well as looking at recently wrapped fire engines for Hull UK City of Culture 2017 and Prostate Cancer.
Chief Fire Officer Dene Sanders expressed how proud he is of our new recruits: 'Firefighters play a critical role in keeping our communities safe. The pride and satisfaction in serving the community cannot be underestimated. Today sees the culmination of 13 weeks hard work and is always a special day to share with family and friends. Today, however, is not the end. It is the start of a challenging and rewarding career which brings with it great responsibility.'
The Service is currently recruiting for more full-time firefighters. There's still one day left to complete the online registration and click here for more details.
To be a firefighter requires special skills and qualities. Effective communication skills are needed to deal with the public at safety events and in their homes, but the ability to work under pressure as part of a team at operational incidents remains key.
The role of the Fire and Rescue Service has changed incredibly in the last few years with firefighters facing many different challenges. For example, firefighters deal with environmental issues such as floods and storms, attend an increasing number of health related incidents and respond to the growing threat of terrorism. Firefighters are therefore expected to be even more adaptable than ever before.