SOMERSET saw five new firefighters recruited at a graduation event last week. 

Avon Fire and Rescue welcomed the new on-call emergency crew following completion of a training course at the Fire and Rescue Training Centre, in Severn Park.

Four of the new recruits will be stationed in North Somerset. 

The course provided the new on-call firefighters with specialist knowledge and a wide range of practical skills including tactical firefighting, pitching ladders, breathing apparatus, road traffic collision safety and water safety and rescue.

Recruits celebrated their achievement at a ceremony where they were joined by family, friends and course instructors.

Area manager, Luke Gazzard, said: “Huge congratulations to our new firefighters who have officially graduated from their training course today. I wish them all the best of luck as they now head out and respond to incidents in their communities.”

Each recruit was presented with their completion certification and coveted silver axe.

The new firefighters in our area: Jamie Gedde, Winscombe station; Matt Steven, Pill station; Alastair O’Connor, Nailsea station and Jane Hand who will be stationed in Portishead.