Airservices’ Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service recruits bring heat at graduation

Cairns’ Chris Parker is on fire after graduating top of the class in Airservices’ Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS) 96th Recruit Course.

Chris’ Australian Defence Force training saw him excel at ARFFS’ gruelling 15-week recruit course, with him honoured with the prestigious Silver Axe Award – Most Outstanding Recruit.

He was one of 24 exceptional, new aviation rescue fire fighters to proudly don the official ARFFS uniform at the recent 96th Recruit Course graduation ceremony at Airservices’ Melbourne training academy.

Airservices currently employs 759 aviation rescue fire fighters at 27 of Australia’s busiest airports. Another 24 new starters will join the company later this year and a further 48 in 2023.

“It’s a really proud moment to win the Silver Axe Award,” Chris said, “The standard of recruits was really high. It was a bit unexpected to win it, but coming from an Australian Army background helped me to just get in there and do the work.

“I’ve really loved the camaraderie at ARFFS and I’m really looking forward to starting my career at Cairns ARFFS.

“ARFFS performs a vital community service to give travellers peace of mind.”

ARFFS is the only national fire service in the country – a rapid intervention, first response service which engages within minutes of any incident, whether it be a first-aid call, fire alarm or an aircraft in trouble.

For more details, visit here. If you’re interested in becoming an ARRFS recruit, apply here.

/Public Release. View in full here.