15 photos of graduation ceremony for new full-time firefighters
NorthernIrelandWorld
Updated ·3-min read
Jamie Kennedy, from Clady, who was awarded the Breathing Apparatus Award which is awarded to the trainee who has excelled throughout the BA Course, with NIFRS interim Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Andy Hearn. (Photo: Submitted by NIFRS)
The ceremony was held at the NIFRS Learning and Development Centre, Boucher Crescent, Belfast, and the graduates were joined by their family and friends for the celebration.
During their intensive course, participants have developed specialist knowledge including tactical firefighting, using breathing apparatus, and responding to road traffic collisions and other rescues. They also learnt how to deliver fire prevention advice to the community.
NIFRS Interim Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Andy Hearn said: “Today’s graduates have chosen to become a firefighter because they believe in serving our community and working with others to make Northern Ireland a safer place. I wish them every success in what is a rewarding, interesting and meaningful career.”
Wholetime firefighter graduate David Tinney, from Campsie. (Photo: Submitted by NIFRS)
Peter May, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health attended graduation ceremony. He said: “During their training, Firefighters are equipped with a unique and extensive set of skills and capabilities. I commend the work they do, often in dangerous and challenging situations.”
Jay Colville, chairperson of NIFRS, said: ““Today’s graduation ceremony is an important milestone, but it isn’t the end of our firefighters’ training and development. As a service, we continue to invest in our people and in the safety of everyone in Northern Ireland, and so our graduates will continue to train both on station and in our new £ 42.6million Learning & Development Centre just outside Cookstown, throughout their careers.”
Wholetime firefighter graduates Graham Ross (left), Whitehead and Gary Scott, Carrickfergus.
Wholetimes firefighter graduates (L-R) Martin Linton, Larne; Connor Young; Ballyclare and Scott Acheson, Newtownabbey.
Stephen Mullan, from Limavady, who was awarded the On-Call to Wholetime Award for the trainee who has been deemed top among the trainees who joined on the accelerated training programme, with interim Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Andy Hearn. (Photo: Submitted by NIFRS)
Scott Acheson, from Newtownabbey, who was awarded the Road Traffic Collision Award for the trainee who has excelled throughout the RTC Course, with interim Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Andy Hearn. (Photo: Submitted by NIFRS)
Gareth Weir, from Cookstown, who was awarded the Top Trainee Award for achieving the highest standard throughout the course and interim Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Andy Hearn. (Photo: Submitted by NIFRS)
(L-R) Firefighter Gareth Weir; Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, Peter May; NIFRS interim Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Andy Hearn; NIFRS chairperson, Jay Colville; and Firefighter Hayley Agnew.
(L-R) Firefighters Daniel O’Neill, Luke Donaghy and Gareth Weir, all Cookstown and Thomas Johnson, Waringstown.
Firefighter Mark Hall, Dungannon. (Photo: Submitted by NIFRS)
(L-R) Firefighters Kyle McCandless, Lisburn; Catherine McBride, Tandragee; Aaron McKeown, Lisburn; Nicole Mallen, Banbridge and Richard Scullion, Lisburn.
Firefighter Colin Gibney, Armagh. (Photo: Submitted by NIFRS)
Kyle McCandless, from Lisburn, who was awarded the Top Trainee Runner Up Award, with interim Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Andy Hearn. (Photo: Submitted by NIFRS)
Firefighter William Donnan, Donaghadee. (Photo: Submitted by NIFRS)
(L-R) Firefighters Stuart Cobain, Millisle; Luke Klimacki, Carryduff and Samuel Black, Newtownards.
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