Three new firefighters will join the team at Douglas fire station this month after completing an immersive 14 week recruit course in the north-east of England.
Blake Kelly, Terrell Nesbitt and Christopher Corrin were put through their paces by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, in a tough training regime covering a wide range of skills, from responding to house fires and road accidents to dealing with a hazardous material incident.
All three passed with flying colours, and will now join the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service team at Douglas fire station. Former mechanic Blake Kelly won the George Maddox Trophy for Best Performance in the breathing apparatus phase of the course. This is the first time this award has been presented to a recruit outside Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service. He was presented the award at a traditional passing-out ceremony at Tyne and Wear HQ by the Isle of Man’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer John Murtagh.
DCFO Murtagh commented:
‘It was fantastic to see our three new recruits put their skills into practice. Training to be a firefighter is challenging for everyone, but to complete the course so far from home, away from the support of friends and family, takes real courage and commitment. The firefighters on the watches they’ll be joining are looking forward to supporting them as they continue to learn and develop.’
Chief Fire Officer of TWFRS Chris Lowther added:
‘It’s a real honour for us to train not only our own new firefighters, but to also be trusted with the development of three new colleagues who will serve in the Isle of Man.’
