Newest recruits celebrate first ‘Passing Out’ Parade’ of 2020 with COVID restrictions in place

GREATER Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has welcomed its latest firefighters to its team. 

Yesterday, (Thursday 1 October), saw 22 apprentice firefighters celebrate their successes at the first ‘Passing Out Parade’ of 2020, following an intensive 15-week operational training course.

Unlike the usual celebrations of previous parades, the event took place online rather than in person with family members and friends watching their loved ones welcomed into GMFRS from the safety of their own homes.

Recruits were joined at the Training and Development Centre in Manchester city centre by newly-appointed Chief Fire Officer (CFO), David Russel, who congratulated each of his new colleagues on the completion of the course. 

CFO Russel joined the Service last month after serving for 29 years at neighbouring Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. 

Four stand-out firefighters on the course were selected and presented with the individual awards from GMFRS’ CFO Russel, Head of Training and Crewing, Area Manager Stewart Forshaw, and Area Manager, Carlos Meakin. 

• Endeavour award –Lewis Burrow 
• Academic award –Camilla Frost 
• Fitness award –Adam Freeland 
• Silver Axe award –Aaron Mansell 

The Silver Axe is presented by the CFO to the trainee firefighter who, in the eyes of the training staff, has displayed and maintained exemplary standards in all aspects of the training course throughout the 15-weeks.

Closing the ceremony, CFO David Russel, said: “I know our new firefighters have put a lot of time, effort and dedication into the intense training course. It is a brilliant accomplishment to become a firefighter at GMFRS and I hope that our new recruits share the pride in their achievements that will be felt by their friends, family and new colleagues across Greater Manchester. 

“I only started at GMFRS as Chief Fire Officer a few weeks ago. It’s a great pleasure to welcome our new trainee firefighters as we begin our GMFRS journey together. I wish them the best for the future in their careers with the Service.” 

The recruit firefighters have now completed the first part of a nationally developed apprenticeship standard. All of our apprentice firefighters will undertake the two year programme to achieve the Level 3 Operational Firefighter Standard which will help them gain the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours that will enable them to become a competent, modern-day firefighter.  

We’d like to convey our congratulations to the recruits who will now be posted to community fire stations across Greater Manchester, where their apprenticeship training will continue until they become fully-qualified firefighters.

02/10/2020 15:12 PM