• Ceremony for two firefighter schools, 84 and 85, after COVID delay
  • Five women, including two AFLW players, among the graduates
  • Five volunteer firefighters join career ranks

Two AFLW players, volunteer firefighters, a snowboard instructor and former tradies are among those who have finally graduated today after COVID meant one trainee firefighter school had to delay its celebrations.

Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan joined the graduation ceremony of 46 men and women from two firefighting schools at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre today.

Firefighters from Trainee Firefighter School 84 were able to finally celebrate with family and friends after COVID-19 restrictions postponed their graduation ceremony in July.

The trainees were put to the test with 20 weeks of intense practical and theoretical training, learning valuable firefighting skills including responding to fires, road crash rescues and hazardous material incidents.

Among the graduates are a former snowboarding coach, electrician, carpenter, as well as Bush Fire Brigade and Volunteer Fire Rescue Service firefighters. There are also four female graduates from Trainee Firefighter School 85, including AFLW players West Coast Eagles captain Emma Swanson and Fremantle’s Evangeline Gooch.

The firefighters from Trainee Firefighter School 85 will begin their careers at fire stations across Perth from next week.

For more information about a firefighting career, visit http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/recruitmentandtraining

Comments attributed to Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan:

“I would like to congratulate all of the graduates who have dedicated five months to prepare themselves to serve and protect the Western Australian community.

“In my time as Emergency Services Minister, 117 men and women have made it through the highly competitive application process and joined the State’s career firefighting ranks.

“The 22 men and women from Trainee Firefighter School 85 are embarking on their careers just as the weather heats up, and I wish them all the best over the coming months and into the future.

“And congratulations to school 84 who missed out on their graduation because of the COVID restrictions, but finally got to celebrate their achievements with friends and family today.”

https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2020/12/New-firefighters-join-the-frontline-including-more-female-officers.aspx

Association note: We are glad to see more career firefighters graduating, especially women. However, the media statement indicates a graduation ceremony was held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and we have concerns that it may have been funded via the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) which is advertised as being 100% allocated to emergency services. Members – let us know how you feel.