A new generation of firefighters have pulled on their uniform this week after one of the largest recruitment drives in recent years.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have announced 36 recruits have started their training at their headquarters in Washington.

The trainee firefighters began their 12-week training programme on Monday (September 27th) and will learn the skills needed to keep communities safe and respond to emergencies in the region.

It will be the fourth cohort of recruits to join the organisation since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, with 64 new firefighters already working on the front line.

Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther met the new recruits this week and today (Thursday) welcomed the opportunity to bring new ideas to the organisation.

He said: “It’s important that we as a service are continuing to grow and bring new ideas and faces into the organisation.

“Our fundamental role is to tackle fires and protect our communities and when I met with them all I could see their passion for keeping people safe.

“I also offered up a bit of advice about the path they’ve chosen and how I have seen the organisation grow during my service.

“I am excited to witness their journey and hope it reassures our communities that we are continuing to invest in the future of the organisation.”

Their training will involve how to operate a fire pump, installing and checking smoke alarms, hose running, Road Traffic Collison (RTC) rescue, First Aid, delivering educational visits, and much more.