Wednesday 20 Septemeber 2006 - 09.00hrs
Avon Fire & Rescue Service will be holding a graduation
ceremony on Thursday 21 September for the four newest members of
staff to join our control room. Friends and family have been
invited along to join Chief Fire Officer/ Chief Executive Kevin
Pearson celebrate their achievement.
The four trainee Fire Control Operators have successfully
completed their basic training course and will be immediately
posted to their watches in Fire Control at Lansdown. Avon is in the
forefront of recruit training for Fire Control, with a proven
course designed specifically to ensure that those passing out are
professional, proficient and knowledgeable Fire Control
Operators.
Kevin Pearson said: "The graduation day is a culmination of the
hard work, both mental and physical, that has been applied over 12
weeks of basic training by the trainees in their efforts to become
competent Fire Control Operators. They have every right to feel
proud of their achievements so far. The service we deliver starts
with a 999 call. The first point of contact with the fire service
is with a Fire Control Operator. The ‘team approach’ starts with
Fire Control and the trainees will form part of that team for the
future."
The trainees are:
Lisa Walters
Lisa is from Bath and has two young children, Lauren (nine) and
Erin (four). Before joining the fire and rescue service, Lisa
worked in the airline industry as a flight attendant. Lisa is
looking forward to having a rewarding career and putting into
practice everything she has learnt during her training.
Kristina Foster
Kristina lives in Warminster and has had a taste for life in the
fire and rescue service from her boyfriend, who is a firefighter in
Wiltshire. She joined the service because of the job prospects in
the emergency services and is looking forward to getting into the
Control room. Before joining AF&RS, Kristina was a riding
instructor. However, she is still involved in the equine world, as
she has her own horse.
Leila Johns
Leila is looking forward to a long-term career in the fire and
rescue service and can’t wait to get stuck in to the challenges of
the Control room environment. A self-confessed sports enthusiast,
Leila loves rugby and football. She is a keen member of Keynsham
Women’s 10s team and also Brislington’s 5-a-side league.
Andrew Kirkby
Andrew is an old hand to the fire and rescue service, being a
firefighter from Yate Fire Station on the Retained Duty System.
Prior to this Andrew was at Chew Magna Fire Station for seven
years. Andrew will continue to provide retained duty cover for the
Yate area, but is looking forward to experiencing a different side
to the job. Andrew lives with his girlfriend and Jack Russell
puppy.