ABERYSTWYTH Fire Station has gained its newest wholetime firefighter recruits following a passing out parade in Swansea last month.

For new Aberystwyth recruits, Louis Hunt and Aleksander Oraznty, the journey to become firefighters started three weeks before they underwent a gruelling 14-week training course, which started on 18 January.

They were required to prove themselves capable both mentally and physically for the role by passing the National Firefighter Entry Tests, which are designed to ensure individuals have the aptitude and attitude for a career in the service.

After passing the entry tests, Louis and Alexander, who joined 10 other prospective firefighters to form Squad 01/16, embarked on a training programme where they learned practical firefighting and other emergency response skills, as well as water and line rescue and environmental protection skills.

The Pass Out Parade took place at the Earlswood Training Centre, Swansea, on Thursday, 22 April, in front of recruits’ family and friends, senior officers and fire authority members.

See the full story in this week’s Aberystwyth edition of the Cambrian News