Airservices Australia’s Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) has welcomed 24 highly-trained recruits to its service of more than 800 specialist aviation fire fighters.
Graduating this morning at a ceremony held in Melbourne, these new Trainee Fire Fighters have completed a gruelling 15-week training course at ARFFS’ state-of-the-art hot fire training ground in Melbourne, preparing them to respond to any incident on or around the airport within a matter of minutes.
ARFFS Acting Chief Fire Officer Steve Davies congratulated the graduates on successfully completing the demanding course.
“We have tested these recruits both mentally and physically and they have passed with flying colours, I wish them well for their future careers at Airservices,” Steve said.
“They have completed theoretical and practical training to get to this point including fighting simulated aircraft and structural fires, aviation rescue techniques and dealing with the hazards of highly flammable aviation fuels.
“The hard work will continue as they join the crews at their new home stations and continue to gain valuable experience and training.”
Trainee Fire Fighter Beau Tanton was presented with the Silver Axe Award for most outstanding recruit of this course and will join ARFFS Mackay.
Graduating recruits will also be based in Broome, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gladstone, Karratha, Melbourne, Port Hedland, Rockhampton, Sydney and Townsville.
Airservices has one of the largest, most highly-trained, professional aviation rescue firefighting services in the world providing ARFFS at 26 of Australia’s busiest airports.
