SIXTEEN fire fighters today joined the ranks of the ACT Fire and Rescue.

This was the second college intake for the year, which saw recruits complete an intensive 90-day training course before being excepted.

“It is a positive boost to ACT Fire and Rescue to ensure the emergency response capability remains strong and continue to be prepared for natural and man-made disasters,” ACT Fire and Rescue chief officer Paul Swain said.

“As the most versatile fire service in Australia, there are many tasks ACT Fire and Rescue firefighters carry out when on duty. These include fire fighting, motor vehicle accident recovery, urban search and rescue as well as handling hazardous material incidents.

“Only the very best are selected to undertake this three month comprehensive training.

“Applications were received from across Australia and residents of the ACT should rest assured that today’s new recruits will continue ACT Fire and Rescue’s high standards of serving the community.”

Mr Swain said this year ACT Fire and Rescue were called to duty for big events including the Mitchell chemical fire and lending support with operational deployments to Japan and New Zealand following the natural disasters.

ACT Fire and Rescue now have 344 personnel.