25 January 2010

Twenty-one new firefighters have now started work at their fire stations in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes following months of training.

It’s the latest stage in a journey that began in May 2009 when more than 1,000 people queued up for application packs at Aylesbury, Bletchley and Marlow Fire Stations.

Eight firefighters (two per watch) have joined High Wycombe Fire Station, three are at Broughton Fire Station, two each are at Aylesbury, Bletchley and Great Holm Fire Stations and one each are at Amersham, Beaconsfield, Buckingham and Gerrards Cross Fire Stations.

Last month they completed the first phase of their development as firefighters – the physically and mentally challenging 11-week course at the Fire Service College at Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.

Earlier this month they completed a further three weeks’ training at Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s training school in Haddenham.

As well as attending emergency incidents, they are now working towards level 3 NVQs in Operations in the Community. The NVQ enables firefighters to develop skills for the proactive part of their work, which includes visiting schools to teach children about fire safety issues, and encouraging people to have smoke alarms fitted in their homes.

Denis O’Driscoll, Area Manager Response, said: "Their personal development will never stop throughout their careers, whether they remain as firefighters, move into a specialist role such as fire safety or pursue a management role."

Ten more applicants have been selected to start their training next month, and the 2010 recruitment campaign is about to begin.

The 21 new firefighters and their stations are:

High Wycombe: Geoff Barber, Adam Burch, Anthony Dumbarton,
Jo Foot, Len Guilhem, Ben Harris, Georgina Randall, Philip Stacey

Broughton: Carl Fletcher, Fraser Lamble, Robert Martin

Aylesbury: Richard Allison, Steve Hutson

Bletchley: Aaron Childs, Scott Knowler

Great Holm: Tom Bamford, Ivan Kemp

Amersham: Craig Atkins

Beaconsfield: Dean Bourlet

Buckingham: Gary Adams

Gerrards Cross: Jack Mills