Magnificent seven are welcomed

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has welcomed seven new firefighters after completing the first phase of their training.

The new recruits were recognised at a celebration of auccess. The team were also joined by three firefighters who trained in Staffordshire but will be based at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

All the firefighters have passed the new nine-week phase one of the Firefighter Development programme.

They have studied five modules acquiring the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding in core skills, breathing apparatus, hazardous materials, and road traffic collisions. They also participated in a two-day structured programme of assessed scenarios in order to test out all they had learned.

The new firefighters will now join their stations and after serving six months they will start their NVQ, this training will be provided by their coaches, mentors and specialist trainers in the workplace.

The completion of a personal development record and programme signals the end of the main phase of training.

The new firefighters will be stationed at the following locations: Firefighter Nicci Hall – Longton Red Watch – Wholetime; Firefighter Joe Hanlon – Penkridge Orange Watch – Retained; Firefighter Katrina May- Hanley Orange Watch – Retained; Firefighter Adam Priestly – Burton White – Wholetime.

Firefighter Martin Shirley– Longton Blue Watch – Wholetime; Firefighter James Twist – Chase Terrace – Orange Watch - Retained and Firefighter Richard Brown – Lichfield Red Watch – Wholetime.