We’ve enjoyed following our new recruits over the last couple of months as they navigate their way through eight tough, yet rewarding, weeks at The Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh.
We have seen them learn to tackle fires, brave great heights, and keep calm under extreme pressure.
With core firefighter skills firmly under their belts, they will now embark on the next phase of their apprenticeship and meet their new firefighter family, joining them on stations across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.
It is time for the real journey to begin – and we’re proud to say we are with them every step of the way!
Following fire service tradition, to celebrate this milestone, we held a Pass Out Ceremony where successful recruits are awarded certificates and find out which stations they will be assigned to. For the first time in around 25 years we hosted this important event at the Blue-Light Hub, West Ashland. Friends and family, Members of the Fire Authority, and fellow employees attended the ceremony to congratulate and officially welcome our new recruits.
There was a real buzz of excitement as the audience were treated to a demonstration by the newly fledged firefighters, which included a collision and “persons reported” scenario. It was an opportunity for family to see how hard their loved ones have worked. In the words of one of our smaller guests: “ I am here to see Daddy be a hero” – and we don’t think they could have been disappointed.
Before being presented with their Pass Out certificates from our Chief Fire Officer, Jason Thelwell, he offered them some words of wisdom:
“Be the best you can possible be. Be better tomorrow than today and live up to the highest standards expected by your colleagues and your community. Well done to you all.’
CFO Jason Thelwell – 20 May 2022
Big Congratulations to:
- Firefighter Marco Capella
- Firefighter Kai Day
- Firefighter James Ford
- Firefighter Stephen Gould
- Firefighter Tomas Petrons
- Firefighter Jason Purssell-Danks
- Firefighter James Steele
- Firefighter Elliott Thomas
- Firefighter Elliot Tierney
- Firefighter Daniel Walker
- Firefighter Lewis Bristol
- Firefighter Felix Baxter
In the tradition of the fire service, on every course a silver axe is presented to the top recruit for showing great self-discipline, motivation, and leadership qualities throughout the course. And an exceptional attitude to learning. This was awarded to Firefighter James Steele.
It is important to Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service that we support our community as it represents the people we serve. With this in mind, a special thank you is made to local charity MacIntyre Catering which supported the event by providing refreshments on the day.
The MacIntyre team created the food to their usual high standard, and presented in a professional manor, which was well received by all those that attended.
