Date: 11th November, 2019
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service held its third pass out parade for new firefighters at Salisbury fire station on Tuesday 5 November.
Thirteen firefighters, who have successfully passed their Firefighter Acquisition Training Courses, received certificates from Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell in front of their families, friends and colleagues.
Distinguished guests at the event included the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton; Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset, The Hon Tim Palmer; High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Mr David Scott DL; and members of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority.
During the parade, the group of firefighters held a training display which simulated a property fire and included the use of an aerial ladder platform and two fire engines.
Five of the firefighters, Jordan Nottley, Jack Darley, Andy Eckersley, Matthew Forbes and Jamie Hagley will be stationed at Beaminster, Dorchester, Hamworthy, Swanage and Weymouth fire stations respectively.
Firefighter Nottley said: “Becoming a firefighter is a job I have always wanted to do, I have grown up around the Fire Service life with my family members serving and now following in their footsteps. I find the job very rewarding in helping the community either in their time of need or at socially arranged events. I enjoy the challenges I am met with operationally and enjoy working as part of a professional team. I have met new friends within the Service whilst attending very beneficial key skill and life-saving courses.”
Firefighter Darley said “I decided to join to give something back to his local community, starting in the Service in March 2019. As a photographer primarily working from home and an Army Reservist, I have the time and opportunity to fit being an on-call firefighter around work and family commitments.”
Firefighter Eckersley said “I joined in January and it took me 6 months to get in. I have always been very passionate about the fire service and wanted to join for a long time and the opportunity arose, so I took it. I enjoy the uniqueness of the job not ever knowing what you will be going to and two jobs are never the same. I cover two stations, Hamworthy in the day and Blandford evening weekends and I very much relish new challenges within the fire service and I am very proud to be a firefighter.”
Firefighter Forbes said “I joined the service in November 2017 as I wanted to be involved in a community service role that would develop my skills, personality and health. Contributing to the community and being part of a great team at Swanage are my favourite things about my role as a Firefighter.”
Firefighter Hagley said “I started working as an on-call firefighter in 2018 as I have wanted to become a firefighter from a young age. I work as a lifeguard at local leisure centre and respond to incidents when I’m not at work. I love the adrenaline build-up of going to an incident, not sure what I might face.”
Head of Learning and Organisational Development, Area Manager Kathy Collis, said “Our pass out parade is a significant milestone in the firefighter development process. It is also a great occasion for family and friends to be able to celebrate the achievements of our new firefighters and see first-hand what they have learnt. My congratulations go to them all, and I hope they all have long and enjoyable careers with us.”
If you would like to find out more about becoming an on-call firefighter, please visit www.dwfire.org.uk/on-call-firefighters