Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 04/12/2008 10:13

Three new recruits are being put through their paces at St Ives and Penzance Fire Stations, ready to become retained firefighters in Cornwall.

At Penzance, two recruits are being put through their paces, Michelle Turner, account assistant and Kyle Kearey, assistant funeral director. At St Ives, Steven Hosking who works as a builder’s labourer has joined the team.

The new recruits have just completed their initial two week ‘Approved to Ride’ course, which required them all to develop their knowledge and demonstrate their new skills in putting up ladders, operating fire services pumps and laying out hose lines to supply and deliver water. They were also trained and tested in the wearing of breathing apparatus sets in live fire scenarios and outlining the standards and expectations of their role in delivering community fire safety.

Although the recruits have returned successfully from their initial course to their home stations on operational duties, they have now three years of development to undertake which will include a number of weekend courses to further develop their skills and annual assessments to ensure they have developed into competent firefighters.

Assistant Divisional Officer, Andy Barrett explains, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome three more new recruits to the Service in the West of the county. The latest recruitment drive has proved extremely successful, with the Brigade being able to welcome some excellent new candidates, to whom we wish long and successful careers in the service.”

Retained firefighters are men and women who do ordinary jobs, but are ready to go to a 'shout' the moment that a call comes. They might be builders or shopkeepers, farmers or plumbers, clerical assistants or technicians - but when the call comes, they become part of a dedicated team ready to face any emergency. Despite being employed on a part time basis, they are fully trained and capable people in the front line, saving lives and making people safe.

Ken Yeo Lib Dem Public Protection Portfolio Holder welcomes the recruits to the Cornwall Fire Brigade and says, “I am always a pleased to welcome new recruits to the service and it is good to see three more starting. The retained service is a vital part of Cornwall County Fire Brigade’s operational response, the local knowledge of the retained recruits is of huge value to themselves and the communities they will serve. I wish them every success in their careers.”

Penzance group pic- L to R: Watch Manager Paul Gooding, Firefighter Michelle Turner and Firefighter Kyle Kearey.

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=600