THE latest batch of lifesavers has officially joined the county’s fire service.

The new recruits have completed nine weeks of intensive training - learning all the different techniques need to become a firefighter, ranging from swift water and fire rescues to road crashes and large animal rescues - before the 11-strong group took part in a passing out parade.

As part of the passing out ceremony, the newly-appointed crew demonstrated, in front of family and friends, the skills they have learned.

This included fire-fighting, ladder pitches, dealing with road traffic collisions, tackling a property fire and rescuing a person from a high rise ‘blaze’.

The new firefighters will now join crews at stations in Carlisle, Penrith, Whitehaven, Barrow and Ulverston.

Special congratulations were given to firefighter Abbie O’Brien, who received the Silver Axe award from the training department, singling her out as the stand out recruit on the course.

Cumbria’s Chief Fire Officer Steve Healey said: “I’d like to warmly welcome our new recruits to the fire and rescue service family.

“They’ve completed a challenging and intensive training course which has given them valuable experience in practical firefighting.

“But there is so much more to the role of a modern firefighter than attending emergencies, and they now have the skills to work with local communities, spreading the message about safety in the home and workplace.

“I know they have all worked exceptionally hard over the past 14 weeks and their achievements are well deserved.

“We wish them all the best in their future careers.”

n Jobs: Inside Life