Having passed their FF Fundamental 1 course, the group of 10 were presented with their certificates by Assistant Chief Fire Officer Rob Cole at Winchester Fire Station on Friday afternoon.
This was the first FF Fundamental 1 Course our Learning and Development team have delivered which sees on-call firefighters arrive on station with additional medical and RTC skills, which previously would not have been taught on the initial course.
The group’s subsequent Fundamental 2 and 3 courses are already scheduled, providing our on-call firefighters with specific dates for their return. These sessions will include further assessments to ensure their learning and skills have continued to be embedded during their time at their on-call station.
Station Manager Lee Wood said:
“Our team has developed a brilliant programme which maps out our on-call recruits’ training schedule for the first twelve months, allowing them to plan and help balance their fire service commitments around their work and personal lives.
“This programme equips them with additional skills earlier in their firefighter journey than they would have had previously, helping them to make more of an impact on station and at incidents sooner.”
“It is brilliant to see another group of enthusiastic individuals join our team, ready to make life safer.
“It takes a certain type of person to dedicate part of their time to help others in their community.
“Our latest cohort have shown incredible determination to get to this stage, working with their local teams who have helped them prepare for the challenges they have faced.”
Overton’s newest firefighter, sales manager James Pritchard said:
“The team at Overton have supported me and helped me prepare for the course, and I’m so excited to join them now as a firefighter.
“There was a lot to learn, but I was surrounded by a group of people like me, keen to overcome the exciting challenge.
“If anyone is thinking of becoming an on-call firefighter, I would strongly recommend you visit your local station, speak to the team, and take that first, exciting step.”
Over on the Isle of Wight, Charlie Butt will be responding from Cowes, whilst across the River Medina, Kira Smith will be part of the East Cowes crew which moves into its new station later this year.
In the New Forest area, Burley will be welcoming Harrison McVay, and Glenn Edwards will be joining the team on the waterside at Hardley.
Bordon have two new recruits in Robert Haig and Gareth Powell.
In the north of the county, Steven Goulding and James Pritchard will be balancing their home and work life around their new on-call commitments at Hartley Wintney and Overton, respectively.
George Cartmell will be switching on his pager to support the crew at Horndean, and Guy Molyneux riding the fire engine at Sutton Scotney.
On-call firefighters play an important role in the safety of their local communities.
Working or living nearby their fire station, they respond when alerted through a pager, before crewing the fire engine to attend a wide range of different callouts.
With a dedicated training night each week, our on-call teams also get involved in important prevention activities, as well as community engagement work.
Do you want to make a difference in your community? Then why not find out if you have what it takes to become an on-call firefighter.
