New firefighters celebrate with scaled back ‘passing out parade'

Photo: Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

Some of the new recruits

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has welcomed its latest firefighters to its team.

Twenty-two apprentice firefighters celebrated their successes at the first passing out parade of 2020 on Thursday 1 October, following an intensive 15-week operational training course.

Unlike the usual celebrations of previous parades, the event was broadcast online so family members and friends could watch their loved ones welcomed into GMFRS at home.

Recruits were joined at the Training and Development Centre in Manchester city centre by newly-appointed Chief Fire Officer (CFO), David Russel, who congratulated each of his new colleagues on the completion of the course.

CFO Russel joined GMFS last month after serving for 29 years at neighbouring Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

Four stand-out firefighters on the course were selected and presented with the individual awards by CFO Russel, Head of Training and Crewing, Area Manager Stewart Forshaw, and Area Manager, Carlos Meaki:

• Endeavour award – Lewis Burrow
• Academic award – Camilla Frost
• Fitness award – Adam Freeland
• Silver Axe award – Aaron Mansell

The Silver Axe is presented by the CFO to the trainee firefighter who, in the eyes of the training staff, has displayed and maintained exemplary standards in all aspects of the training course throughout the 15 weeks.

Closing the ceremony, CFO David Russel, said: “I know our new firefighters have put a lot of time, effort and dedication into the intense training course. It is a brilliant accomplishment to become a firefighter at GMFRS and I hope that our new recruits share the pride in their achievements that will be felt by their friends, family and new colleagues across Greater Manchester.

“I only started at GMFRS as Chief Fire Officer a few weeks ago. It’s a great pleasure to welcome our new trainee firefighters as we begin our GMFRS journey together. I wish them the best for the future in their careers with the Service.”

The recruit firefighters have now completed the first part of a nationally developed apprenticeship standard. All of the apprentice firefighters will undertake the two year programme to achieve the Level 3 Operational Firefighter Standard which will help them gain the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours that will enable them to become a competent, modern-day firefighter.