Class of 2024 sparks new life in fire service
Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr TP O’Reilly visited Castle Saunderson International Scout Centre on Friday, 20th September to offer his congratulations to the 18 recruits who successfully completed their Cavan County Fire Service three-week initial firefighting skills course.
Following a competitive recruitment campaign, applicants undertook a day of physical endurance and strength tests, in addition to working at heights and enclosed space assessments, before undergoing an interview process. Successful candidates were then placed on a panel from which the 18 new recruits were chosen to undergo initial training.
The three-week course, delivered under course director, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer Martin Trainor saw new recruits receive training in firefighting skills such as hose management, pump drills, ladder drills, vehicle extrication, casualty care, and safe working practices.
Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council TP O’Reilly said: “I was delighted to be able to visit these 18 dedicated individuals as they embark on an extremely challenging yet rewarding career in service of their communities. I have the utmost respect for firefighters and all our emergency services, and I want to thank them for their dedication to date and wish them long and happy careers with Cavan County Council’s Fire Service”.
Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle added: “I’d like to commend the dedication and commitment of these 18 trainee firefighters, qualities which I have no doubt will stand them in good stead in their careers. Cavan County Council welcomes the fact that we are in a position to extend our staffing in fire stations across the County, and I look forward to further developing what is already a top-class emergency service for the people of Cavan”.
Chief Fire Officer Noel O’Reilly remarked: “It’s testament to the dedication of our eighteen new recruits and to the skill of our instructors that all 18 students passed this QQI-approved course in firefighting skills. I want to thank them for their efforts, and also extend my sincere thanks to Course Director Martin Trainor and instructors Patrick Farrelly and Ray Slaughter of Cavan County Fire Service and Liam McGovern of Leitrim County Fire Service for sharing their extensive knowledge and skill. I’d also like to thank Shelley Cole at Castle Saunderson International Scouting Centre for the use of their outstanding facility, which provided an excellent learning environment for the new recruits.”
Shelley Cole, Operations Director at Castle Saunderson with Scouting Ireland said: “Scouting Ireland is very pleased to have welcomed Cavan County Fire Service to Castle Saunderson for their recent new recruit training program. It was an honour to host such an important initiative and support the development of the next generation of firefighters who will serve our communities. We would like to thank both the new recruits and the instructors for their commitment to public service and their positive contribution during their time at Castle Saunderson.”