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12 New Wholetime Firefighters For Derbyshire Begin Training

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is delighted to welcome the latest wholetime Firefighters to the Service following a competitive recruitment process which ran earlier this year.

The next 14 weeks will see 12 trainees, making up wholetime course 108, embark on an intensive training course at the Service’s Joint Police and Fire Training Centre in Ripley, Derbyshire. A combination of practical and theoretical training, delivered by the Service’s dedicated operational training team, will prepare the new trainees for the challenges faced by a modern Firefighter serving and protecting the communities of Derbyshire.

Welcoming the recruits to the Service, Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Gavin Tomlinson said: “The next 14 weeks will be challenging but equally exciting for our latest trainees as they embark on their career as a wholetime Firefighters here in Derbyshire.  

“As the trainees progress through their course, they will gain new skills that will equip them to respond professionally to a range of emergencies, and they will gain confidence and knowledge that will prepare them to engage with our communities passing on valuable emergency prevention advice. They will also learn how to work effectively as a team in challenging situations, making new lifelong friends as they go.

“I look forward to following their progress from day one, through to completion of their course when they will pass out of training as competent Firefighters, ready to serve and protect the communities of Derbyshire.”

Kevin Buttery, Chair of Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Authority said: “I’m delighted to welcome the latest recruits to the Service. Each recruit will have a different reason for choosing to become a Firefighter, but a common aim is to help prevent accidents and to save lives.

“To effectively serve and protect our communities we must understand them, and to do this it is essential that our workforce reflects the communities they serve; I’m therefore encouraged to see that 50% of the new recruits are from underrepresented groups, including female, BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic), and LGBT+. 

“We’re aware that nationally these groups are underrepresented within the fire service, so through positive action it is something we are working to redress. I understand we will be following the journey of these recruits via our social media channels and I hope that each and every one of them will be a role model to others and inspire future generations to consider a career in the fire and rescue service.”

NOTE TO EDITORS/REPORTERS

For more information, or to arrange an interview please Georgina Staley on 01773 305305 Ext: 5408

12 Wholetime Firefighter Recruits Standing In In front of the training tower and fire engine