Scotland’s future firefighters are being put through their paces at a north-east training base.
A total of 23 recruits from across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands and Islands are being taught life-saving skills at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Portlethen training centre.
The trainees have spent the first few weeks of their course learning basic firefighting skills, such as pump and ladder drills.
However, as the “gruelling” 14-week course progresses, the trainees will learn how to use the specialist equipment that is carried on fire appliances.
They will also sit through lectures aimed at giving them a better understanding of reducing fire risk in communities.
Once the course has finished, the trainees will help protect areas across the north and north-east of Scotland.
Head of training at Portlethen, station manager, Scott Gibson, said: “As firefighters, they will be called upon to tackle various emergency situations where their problem-solving skills and initiative will be vital to resolve issues quickly and calmly.
“The trainees are working hard as a team – some of the drills can be physically demanding, but they are taking it all in their stride.
“It is a non-stop and gruelling schedule, but they are fully committed and I have no doubt that they will make excellent firefighters.”
The fire and rescue service is also campaigning to enlist retained crew members.
These are part-time roles where locals, typically based in more rural areas, are called out to emergency incidents.
For more information visit:
http://www.firescotland.gov.uk/work-with-us/current-vacancies/retained-firefighters.aspx
