Essex County Fire and Rescue Service welcomed its biggest new squad in over ten years with eighteen new firefighters now members of the emergency service.

Proud family and friends attended the passing out ceremony alongside assistant chief officer Moira Bruin and Jane Gardner, deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex on Friday, February 21.

New recruits undergo a 15-week intensive training course at the Fire Service College in Gloucestershire and the Service Training Centre in Witham.

Trainees learn the practical and technical skills needed as a firefighter to make Essex a safe place to live work and travel, from house fires to water rescues.

The firefighters will now join crews in fire stations across the county where they will continue their training and develop their skills.

Assistant chief officer Moira Bruin said: “Thank you to each and every one of you for your commitment to serving the communities of Essex.

“I’m personally looking forward to getting to know you more and visiting you at your stations and hearing about how you are helping to make Essex a safe place to live, work and travel.”

Head over to www.join.essex-fire.gov.uk to find out more about the different roles on offer at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.