THE Mount Gambier Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) will welcome four new firefighters this week fresh from graduation through the recruit program on Friday.
Graduates Luke Hutchinson, Ian Borchard, Langley Fry and Sean Mayo will all be posted at the Mount Gambier station as full-time firefighters.
The recruitment is timely, as staffing and full-time hours at the Mount Gambier station expand from a five to seven days per week model.
Emergency Services Minister Corey Wingard said the MFS graduates had a long journey to reach graduation.
“These recruit firefighters first applied for a chance to join Recruit Squad 52/2018 two years ago within a pool of 2200 applicants,” Mr Wingard said.
“Their patience and determination has paid off and now they will officially join the MFS and start their first shifts.”
Mr Wingard said it was an exciting group of recruits who graduated on Friday, all with community values at their core.
“Each recruit firefighter in Squad 52 brings different life and career experiences to their firefighting role, ranging from high school teacher and skydiving instructor through to bricklayer, wine lab technician and state soccer player,” he said.
“Despite their diverse backgrounds, all have a passion for community service and teamwork, which are key features of a good firefighter.”
Acting Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) chief officer Michael Morgan said the recruit firefighters were joining a modern firefighting organisation that continued to actively pursue diversity.
“Historically firefighting has been seen within society as a male domain and as an organisation we continue to actively pursue applications from more women and people with culturally diverse backgrounds,” Mr Morgan said.
“This is because we would like our fire service to increasingly reflect the community that we serve.”
“If you are physically fit, a team player, problem solver and community minded, then perhaps consider a career in firefighting.”
