Caroline Springs CFA has welcomed two recruits who have been raring to join the team on the front line.
Michael Henningsen and Josh Martin have just completed their first week on the job.
They are among 25 new career firefighters stationed across Victoria after graduating from a 16-week training course at the CFA’s training college at Fiskville.
Mr Henningsen and Mr Martin said they were eager to get to work and help protect the community.
“I’ve always wanted to help people and serve the community,” Mr Henningsen said.
The former physical education teacher said he looked forward to continuing to learn more about his new career and couldn’t wait to take the wheel of a pumper truck.
Father of two Mr Martin, who made the move from the plumbing and gas-fitting industry, said he had been determined to become a career firefighter, having previously applied unsuccessfully with the CFA and MFB.
“I worked pretty hard to get through,” Mr Martin said.
He said he “100 per cent” recommended pursuing a career as a firefighter to others, with friends already keen to follow his path.
“If you can’t get in the first time, don’t give up,” he said.
The pair join the ranks of more than 700 career firefighters employed by the CFA across Victoria.
Caroline Springs CFA covers Caroline Springs, Taylors Hill, Ravenhall, Burnside, Burnside Heights and Plumpton.
The brigade has attended 236 incidents since July 1. There were 949 fire calls in 2013-14.
Yasemin Talat
