New firefighters are on their way to Farnham and Haslemere fire stations as part of the latest cohort of 37 new Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) recruits.
Four trainee firefighters are to join in Farnham, which SFRS says will make each of the station’s watches “over-strength”, while two are going to Haslemere to fill vacancies.
The group of whole-time firefighters took part in three different 15-week training courses, starting in April, July and August.
All trainees are initially given a base post at the service’s headquarters and their first posting is temporary.
Some of these initial postings are to fill a vacancy and some will make the watch they are joining ‘over strength’. This allows for SFRS to balance experience across the service.
SFRS’s chief fire officer, Dan Quin, said: “It is such a pleasure to be able to welcome our 37 new firefighters into the service. They have all worked so hard to get to this point.
"The training they have undertaken is not easy, it takes hard work, determination and teamwork and that is what every single one of these new firefighters has shown.
"Having trained as a firefighter myself and attended a pass-out parade, I know what a special occasion these events are for our new colleagues and their families.
"I look forward to seeing our new firefighters out at fire stations soon.”
Trainee firefighters will also be posted to locations across Surrey including Camberley, Dorking, Egham, Esher, Guildford, Painshill, Walton and Woking.
Surrey County Council cabinet member for communities and community safety, which includes SFRS, Denise Turner Stewart, said: “A huge congratulations to the new firefighters joining the service today. I have had the pleasure of attending a number of Pass Out Ceremonies in recent years, and it is always such a wonderful occasion to meet the new members of the service who have committed to keeping the communities of Surrey safe.
“Today is also an opportunity for us to celebrate with their family and friends, who will be by their side every step of the way in their new career. We hope it is a special day for them too.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our superb training team for their knowledge and expertise, and everyone else behind the scenes who has helped towards enabling this course. The service offers exceptional career aspects, so I look forward to seeing the future achievements and development from our new firefighters.”
SFRS currently has opportunities for firefighters on on-call contracts, these are skilled people from all walks of life who offer daytime, evening and/or weekend cover at on-call fire stations in addition to their normal, day-to-day commitments.