Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 06/05/2008 11:18

Five new recruits are being put through their paces for the next 3 months, ready to become whole time Firefighters in Cornwall. Their recruitment comes as a result of the additional funding which was granted by the Council when the Council budget was set in February.

Andrew Bales, previously a delivery driver from Hayle; Ben Goddard, who was studying for a law degree from Truro; Tom Randall, former groundsman at Truro College from Truro; Mark Henwood, formerly a fisherman from Looe and Tristan Dennis who worked for a Tarmac Surfacing Company from Falmouth, have completed their initial week’s training at the Brigade’s state of the art training facility at RAF Portreath. They are now off to Plympton for 13 weeks to train with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service before returning to RAF Portreath and being prepared to go out on the watch.

Chief Fire Officer, Matt Littmoden explains, “These particular recruits had actually been successful in joining the service more than two years ago, but due to budget constraints we weren’t able to offer them a position and they have been on a waiting list ever since. The day the new funding was approved I made the call to get them into the Brigade and trained up as soon as possible.”

In addition to the five new whole time recruits, funding was available to make seven retained crew into whole time Firefighters. After an intense training period, these seven recruits are already out on the watch.

There will be another recruitment drive at the end of the financial year to boost numbers further and ensure the service is up to full strength.

Commenting on his decision to become a Firefighter, Ben Goddard said, “I applied five years ago to join the service because I saw it as an opportunity to serve my local community and grow and develop as a person. It was great to finally get the call to come in.”

Ken Yeo Lib Dem Public Protection Portfolio Holder welcomed the recruits to the Cornwall Fire Brigade and told them, “I am delighted that you have chosen the Fire Service as your career and that despite the long wait your determination has paid off. The Service is held in high regard by the community which each of you will serve. You will become members of a team which rely and depend on each other when working together. The modern Fire Service offers many opportunities and I wish you all a long and successful career during which you each find and fulfil your full potential.”

Picture available showing (l-r) Ben Goddard, Mark Henwood, Ken Yeo, Matt Littmoden, Andrew Bales, Tom Randall and Tristan Dennis at the Fire Brigade training facility at RAF Portreath

Hannah Rees
Communications Officer
Cornwall County Council
Tel: 01872 322785
Mob: 07973 497207
hrees@cornwall.gov.uk

New County Hall, Truro TR1 3AY
Media news releases at: www.cornwall.gov.uk

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