Eighteen new recruits ready, willing and able to join ACT Fire & Rescue

ACT Fire & Rescue (ACTF&R) today welcomes 18 new firefighters to its ranks after our graduates completed 21 weeks of intensive training.

Our recruits are now ready to respond to incidents such as medical emergencies, natural disasters, flood rescues and environmental and hazardous material emergencies.

The graduates are part of the 99 additional firefighters being recruited by end 2024 to ensure the ACT’s frontline emergency services are well resourced to keep Canberrans safe.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman said the recruits were “ready, willing and able” to join an elite service of more than 370 firefighters.

“These recruits are joining ACT Fire & Rescue during a period of new training and development programs and a big focus on health and wellbeing initiatives,” Minister Gentleman said.

“College 45 – our latest college cohort – worked with services across ACT Government to increase capability and performance by using real-life scenario-based training.

“The recruits performed multiple simulated training exercises for incidents such as structure fires, search and rescue, motor vehicle incidents and vertical rescue.

“The community should feel confident in knowing that these recruits are well equipped to respond to high-pressure emergencies.”

ACTF&R Chief Officer Matthew Mavity congratulated the recruits and welcomed them to a successful and rewarding career with ACTF&R.

“I would like to thank these remarkable individuals for choosing to dedicate their time to developing specialised skills that service our community.

“I am continually impressed with the calibre of recruitment we see in each college cohort and the knowledge they provide to our service,” Chief Officer Mavity said.

“The 18 new firefighters are from diverse backgrounds but they share one common goal – to protect the community.

“I know College 45 will uphold the high standards of integrity, commitment and professionalism expected of an ACTF&R firefighter.”

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