Top trainee recognition for local man as Derry firefighters join the service

A new generation of lifesavers has officially joined the frontline as 24 Wholetime Firefighters graduated from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) this week.

Following an intensive 18-week training program at the Learning & Development College in Cookstown, the new recruits are now set to deploy to fire stations across the country to begin their life-saving careers.

Wholetime Firefighters Johnathan Canning and Joshua Hannah from Derry, and Matthew Brown from Eglinton were among the cohort who graduated from NIFRS on Thursday, with Firefighter Brown also being recognised as the Top Trainee Runner-Up Award recipient.

The Firefighters proudly demonstrated some of the specialist knowledge and range of practical skills they learned during their training to their family and friends as part of the special celebration. These included using breathing apparatus, tactical firefighting techniques, and responding to road traffic collisions and rescues.

As part of their rigorous training programme, they also learned how to deliver essential fire prevention and community safety training to members of the public.

NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Aidan Jennings said: “Today is an incredibly proud day for NIFRS as we welcome 24 new Wholetime Firefighters to our Service. Each of them has excelled throughout both our challenging recruitment process and the intense 18-week training programme that followed. These are not designed to be easy, so getting to this point is a fantastic achievement.

“Our expert trainers have played an instrumental role in preparing our trainee Firefighters over the last 18 weeks. They have been superb teachers, exemplary role models and true ambassadors for NIFRS.

“This next generation of Firefighters have chosen this career path because they want to make a difference in our community. They want to work closely with others to make Northern Ireland a safer place to live.”

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Jay Colville, Chairperson of NIFRS Board, added: “Today is an extraordinary milestone, but it marks only the beginning for our trainee Firefighters. They have shown great determination, bravery, and commitment, and will continue to do so as they take up their positions in Fire Stations across Northern Ireland.

“We want the very best people to keep our community safe, and I’m confident that today’s cohort will uphold these high standards. On behalf of NIFRS Board, I would like to congratulate each new Wholetime Firefighter and wish them every success in their new career.”