The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has officially welcomed 24 new Wholetime Firefighters into its ranks following a graduation ceremony at the Learning & Development College in Cookstown.

The event marked the conclusion of a rigorous 18-week training programme designed to prepare the recruits for the diverse challenges of emergency response.

During the ceremony, the graduates showcased the specialised skills they acquired during their residency, including the use of breathing apparatus, advanced tactical firefighting, and complex rescue techniques for road traffic collisions. Beyond emergency response, the recruits were also trained in fire prevention and the delivery of essential community safety education. NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Aidan Jennings, praised the new recruits for their dedication: "Today is an incredibly proud day for NIFRS as we welcome 24 new Wholetime Firefighters to our Service. Each of them has excelled throughout both our challenging recruitment process and the intense 18-week training programme that followed. These are not designed to be easy, so getting to this point is a fantastic achievement."

He also acknowledged the role of the training staff, describing them as "exemplary role models" who have prepared the next generation to make Northern Ireland a safer place.

The newly qualified firefighters are now set to take up their positions at various stations across the country. Jay Colville, Chairperson of the NIFRS Board, highlighted the commitment required to reach this stage: "Today is an extraordinary milestone, but it marks only the beginning for our trainee Firefighters. They have shown great determination, bravery, and commitment, and will continue to do so as they take up their positions in Fire Stations across Northern Ireland."

The board expressed confidence that the new cohort will uphold the high standards of the service throughout their careers.