The state-of-the-art Portsmouth station was designed to ensure it had the facilities to host large training courses, helping local on-call trainees avoid travelling all the way to our Eastleigh HQ every day for the two-week long course.
Having been presented with their certificates following the successful completion of their Mod A course, a programme designed to teach the recruits ladder pitching and hose reel jet skills, the new firefighters will also be handed their pager for when they’re on-duty.
Following an assessment with the HIWFRS Learning and Development team the trainees were presented with their certificates by Assistant Chief Fire Officer Rob Cole.
The on-call firefighters will join their crews at incidents and drill nights as well as continue their firefighter development with future L&D courses, alongside their day jobs in their local communities, outside of the fire service.
HIWFRS Station Manager for Learning and Development, Lee Wood said:
“Today we celebrate our latest group of on-call firefighters completing their initial training course, allowing them to join up with their local teams and respond to incidents.
“These individuals have shown incredible dedication and commitment to keep their communities safe, and we must thank their families and employers for supporting them on this journey.
“This has been the first time we have been able to make use of the fantastic facilities and host a MOD A course here at the new Cosham Fire Station, a real benefit to our on-call recruits this side of the county.”
The crew at Grayshott are being boosted with a trio of new recruits, with Matt Arnold, Ben Haworth and Mike Chapman joining the Surrey-border station.
Fighting fires as part of the on-call team at Havant Fire Station is James Bendell.
Firefighters Trevor Parkyn and James Bedford will be responding to incidents with their new colleagues at Waterlooville and Bordon respectively.
Joining the on-call unit at Eastleigh Fire Station is Dan Then, with Blane Purves set to link up at incidents and drill nights with his new Wickham crew.
Listening out for their next callout, Daniel Mellor will be jumping on the fire engine for the first time at Droxford Fire Station.
On-call firefighters train in several modules during their development, attend a weekly drill night and make themselves available for agreed hours around jobs, family responsibilities and other commitments.
The firefighters come from across the county and from all walks of life. They are alerted to incidents via a pager, responding to their nearby station to jump on the fire engine.
Find out more about becoming an on-call firefighter at your local station.