Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) welcomed its 18 newest Wholetime Firefighters at a Graduation Ceremony held on Friday, 1 November.
As friends and family watched on, each graduate was formally welcomed to the Service by: Wayne Bowcock, Chief Fire Officer; Councillor Jeff Brooks, Chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority; and Mr Alexander Barfield, High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire.
During the ceremony, which was held at Maidenhead Fire Station, the graduates demonstrated some of the firefighting skills they have learnt during their initial training course. Working in teams, the graduates performed a rescue from height, extinguished a fire while wearing breathing apparatus, and extricated a ‘casualty’ that was trapped in a car.
Wayne Bowcock, Chief Fire Officer, said: “It was a pleasure and a privilege to formally welcome our 18 newest Wholetime Firefighters into the Service. After months of hard work in training, the Graduation Ceremony was a great way to celebrate their achievements with their friends and family.
“Whilst their initial training is now complete, the Ceremony marks just the beginning of their journey as Firefighters. In taking up their roles, they will continue our proud commitment to serving our communities. I know our new Graduates will make us proud as they work to protect the people of Royal Berkshire.”
During their training, the recruits are tasked with arranging a fundraiser to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity. This year they raised over £3,000 when they each rowed the equivalent of the length of the River Thames, 38.5 miles, on rowing machines outside the Lexicon in Bracknell.
Councillor Jeff Brooks, Chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, said: “I was delighted to welcome to the Service our latest group of Wholetime Firefighter Apprentices, the fifth cohort since the apprenticeship began in 2022.
“Whilst our apprentices come from many different walks of life, they all have one thing in common. None of them had any prior firefighting experience before beginning their training in July. Now, they stand ready to serve the community, and I am pleased that they have chosen to begin their firefighting careers here in Berkshire.”
Two special awards were presented during the ceremony. The Endeavour Award was presented to Firefighter John Smith by Mr Alexander Barfield, High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire, for being the Firefighter that has demonstrated the most effort to improve during the course.
Meanwhile, The Silver Axe is an Award presented by the Chief Fire Officer to Firefighter Marlon Rush for being the recruit that performed to the highest standards throughout the training course.
The Apprentices have now joined with their new watches at fire stations across the county to continue their development. To learn more about how to become a Firefighter in Berkshire, please visit rbfrs.co.uk/discovery.