Following three months of intensive training, 36 new firefighting and fire communications recruits are about to land fresh boots on the ground across Queensland after graduating today in Brisbane.
Member for Logan Linus Power, who was representing Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford, said the new recruits were a significant boost to frontline firefighting services for Queenslanders.
"The training we’ve given our graduate firefighters and fire communications officers has been really tough, as it needs to be to make sure they’re prepared for the unexpected," Mr Power said.
"The challenges of Queensland’s recent bushfire emergency highlight the high level of professionalism, courage and resilience expected of our officers in their service to the community."
Mr Crawford said that today’s graduates were an important component of the Palaszczuk Government’s $29.5 million commitment to deliver an extra 100 frontline firefighters across the state.
"With the recovery from this month’s unprecedented and devastating bushfires underway, the new recruits will add fresh boots on the ground to Queensland’s firefighting capacity.
"Being a firefighter or a fire communications officer isn’t easy and Queenslanders rely on our graduates to be committed and resilient to keep them safe in emergencies."
QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said she was excited to see the new recruits begin their careers in emergency services.
"At QFES we expect a high level of professionalism and honesty in all our interactions with our fellow workers, volunteers and the community," she said.
"We encourage our new firefighters and fire communication officers to be courageous in how they challenge their peers and help improve our workforce."
Thirty graduate firefighters have received a Public Safety Certificate II in Fire Fighting and Emergency Operations, having gained skills in live fire behaviour, wildfire, road crash rescue, technical rescue and hazardous materials management
A Public Safety Certificate III in Emergency Communications Centre Operations wasawarded to six new fire communication officers.
Queensland’s new recruits will be assigned to Ipswich, Townsville, Charters Towers, Maryborough, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg and the Sunshine Coast.
