Two new firefighters for Beenleigh

Two new firefighters will join crews in Beenleigh after graduating from the Queensland Combined Emergency Services Academy (QCESA) in Brisbane.

Andrew Rose and Aaron Hickey have completed an intense 16 week course, and will begin work in the new year.

Member for Albert Margaret Keech said the QCESA has produced some of the finest firefighters in the world, and this group is no exception.

“The 43 graduates come from a varied background, including a personal trainer, to a youth charity worker, to police officers,” she said.

The Pacific Helmets award for the Outstanding Recruit Firefighter for Road Crash Rescue went to firefighter Andrew Rose.

There were two females who graduated from the course.

Member for Waterford Evan Moorhead said a number of recruits had already experienced the fire service through the auxiliary ranks.

“This is just the beginning of the new recruits’ training. It will continue throughout their career as they develop their skills,” he said.

Minister for Emergency Services Neil Roberts said 172 firefighters have graduated from the academy this year, compared to 92 last year.

“Recruits experienced some real life training during their course when they were called upon to assist in the clean up of the flooded Brisbane inner-city bypass during the recent storms,” she said.

“Whilst we are in the midst of an unprecedented global economic crisis, the Bligh Government is still committed to preserving essential frontline services,” he said.

Media Contact – Amanda Hart, 0400 708 526