Five more firefighters have joined the ranks of Fire and Rescue NSW on the Coffs Coast after completing weeks of intensive training at the Emergency Services Academy in Sydney.
Three are calling Sawtell Fire Station home while another two are welcome members of the team at Woolgoolga Fire Station.
Of the 227 new recruits, 60 are becoming permanent firefighters while 167 are becoming on-call, or part-time, firefighters.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the new firefighters are a welcome boost to the capability and capacity of emergency services in our region.
“I want to congratulate and thank each new recruit for putting service above self and making the decision to join Fire and Rescue NSW,” Mr Singh said.
“Whether it’s responding to fires, chemical emergencies, car crashes or natural disasters, Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters are prepared for any situation.
“Every day they answer the call to help, putting themselves on the frontline of danger to protect and save others. I’m very proud to see these new recruits joining that proud tradition.”
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the 161 men and 66 women are a welcome boost to Fire and Rescue NSW.
“Fire and Rescue NSW is widely known as one of the most professional and well-respected emergency services organisations in the world, and I am confident these 227 new recruits will serve their local community with distinction,” Ms Cooke said.
Each of the new firefighters has spent up to 14 weeks learning their trade, studying various techniques to deal with different emergencies, how to apply first aid, search and rescue skills, heavy vehicle driving and HAZMAT response know-how.
