- New firefighters to be stationed in Albany, Geraldton and Perth
- Second-highest number of female graduates in DFES history
- Supports Government's $23 million commitment for 60 more career firefighters
A diverse group of 32 firefighters graduated today to join the frontline ranks of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the graduates of Trainee Firefighter School 91 included 12 women and 20 men who were selected from nearly 900 applicants.
The class, which attended their formal graduating parade at the Forrestfield Academy, contains one of the highest number of women in DFES history, including a former security officer from Italy.
Previous roles of other graduates among the diverse group to join the Career Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) include a disability worker from South Africa, an ex-police officer from New Zealand and a former project manager from Wales.
Many of the recruits have already been deployed to various locations across the State, including Albany, Geraldton and Perth.
DFES has recently restructured its firefighter training model to teach recruits in squads of 12 over 15 weeks of intense practical and theoretical work. The new training model will enable DFES to train up to 96 new firefighters each year, up from 60 in previous years.
This new model takes into account the Cook Government's recent announcement in the State Budget of a $23 million investment to deliver an additional 60 firefighters.
The graduation of Trainee Firefighter School 91 is also the last official event for assistant commissioner, learning and development, Rick Curtis. He leaves DFES to join the Department of Justice as deputy commissioner for youth, Corrective Services in early July.
For more information on a firefighting career visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/careers-and-volunteering
Comments attributed to Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The Cook Government is committed to boosting community safety and I welcome and congratulate all the recruits from Trainee Firefighter School 91 as they embark on their exciting new careers as a frontline firefighter.
"The new training model paves the way for our Government's $23 million investment to deliver an additional 60 career firefighters - the biggest boost to frontline emergency services operations in Western Australia in more than 50 years.
"These new 32 firefighters represent another significant step forward in our efforts to achieve greater diversity across our career firefighters. People from different backgrounds bring new skills to firefighting which enhances DFES to better protect our State.
"I would also like to acknowledge and thank assistant commissioner, Rick Curtis, for his decades of services to DFES and his continued commitment to public service with his new role at the Department of Justice."
As stated by Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:
"In recent years, Western Australia has faced an increasing number of extreme weather events, including devastating bushfires, floods, and cyclones. These events have highlighted the importance of a well-trained and well-equipped career firefighting force.
"Over the course of their careers, our career firefighters will go on to become leaders, mentors and changemakers in the emergency services sector as we rise to meet new challenges.
"Today's graduates join the ranks of a proud service that is celebrating 125 years of fire and rescue in WA - an incredible achievement for all of those who have played a role protecting lives and communities.
"Assistant commissioner Rick Curtis has played an instrumental role in strengthening and improving the firefighter training model and leaves DFES with our sincere thanks for his many years of service to WA's fire and emergency services."
