Airservices Australia’s Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) service has marked a historic triple celebration at its Melbourne Training Facility.
Airservices is honouring ARFF’s 100th recruit course graduation since 1977, the 70th anniversary of the formal establishment of ARFF in Australia in 1954, and the first woman in 12 years to receive the much-coveted national Silver Axe Award – Most Outstanding Recruit.
ARFF is the only national fire service in the country – a rapid intervention, first response service which engages within minutes to provide aviation rescue and fire fighting services at 27 of Australia’s busiest airports.
The milestone virtual ARFF Recruit Course 100 (RC100) Graduation Ceremony saw our recruits embark on the next stage of their dynamic careers as they take up posts around the country. It heralded the hard work of the graduating class, and the dedication of countless individuals who’ve contributed to the success of our training programs, from instructors and mentors through to support staff and leadership.
Of course, no other recruit can lay claim to having blitzed the gruelling 15-week ARFF theory and practical RC100 training course as brilliantly as Melbourne local Jasmin Wood, 33 (pictured centre). Jasmin’s graduated top of the class as the first woman in 12 years to win our much-coveted national Silver Axe Award – Most Outstanding Recruit.
Jasmin, an ex-police officer, received the top honour for being the best recruit across all aspects of the training, from performance through to teamwork.
“I’m truly honoured to receive this award – it made me feel really special – and it’s a dream come true to put on the ARFF service uniform,” Jasmin said.
“I couldn’t have done it without my RC100 teammates – it wouldn’t be fair not to mention them. They are some of the best people I’ve ever met. The ARFF instructors and recruits created an environment where I was able to be at my best version of myself. I wouldn’t have won the award without them.
“This win will hopefully encourage more women to enter the service. I’d recommend this job to everyone – it’s a role in which you get to help people and contribute to society. I’d have the best 15 weeks of my life [RC100 course] and I can’t recommend it high enough.”
Airservices employs more than 800 aviation rescue fire fighters. An additional 48 aviation rescue fire fighters, across two recruit courses, will join the service in 2024. For more information, visit here.
Image credit: Michael Abulencia
About Airservices
Airservices Australia is the Federal Government-owned organisation responsible for the safe and efficient management of 11 per cent of the world’s airspace and the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We connect people with their world safely – linking family and friends, generating economic activity, creating jobs and facilitating trade and tourism.
