Littleborough fire-fighter Paul O’Malley passes out

Littleborough fire-fighter Paul O’Malley

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s latest recruit fire-fighter’s, including 25-year-old Littleborough fire-fighter Paul O’Malley have recently passed out at the Brigade Training Centre. A total of 31 recruits passed out in the presence of the Chairman of the Fire Authority, Councillor Fred Walker and the Assistant County Fire Officer, Mr Patrick Corcoran.

During his time at the Training Centre Mr O’Malley was under continual assessment. His training has been varied and very demanding covering such subjects as breathing apparatus, first aid, hydraulics, chemistry, physics, building construction and basic fire safety.

As part of the course Mr O’Malley also took on the 999 Challenge in the centre of Manchester Printworks.  In full fire gear he and the other recruits attempted to prove they are the fittest in the UK, by making the furthest distance across three disciplines - treadmill running, cycling machine and a rowing machine - over 9 Hours, 9 Minutes and 9 Seconds.

The recruits raised over £4600 in much needed funds for the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund (FSNBF), Compassionate Friends and Operation Florian.

FSNBF – the UK’s Fire Charity provides a range of services such as therapy and rehabilitation facilities, recuperation and sheltered housing, in addition to recently introducing much needed child and therapy programmes.

Operation Florian – has now celebrated its tenth year of operation and goes from strength to strength in supporting deprived communities across the globe from Paraguay to Bosnia in Herzegovina, from the Ukraine to North Vietnam.

Compassionate Friends – assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive.  

All the recruits have been posted to various fire stations throughout the Brigade where their training and development will continue.