On Thursday, the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh hosted an extremely well-organised graduation ceremony for their RAF Trainee Fire Fighters. The graduates had their skills tested on the Fire College Course before their Passing Out ceremony, hosted on a rather cold, blustery day.  

The graduation ceremony was beautifully conducted with certificates presented to the group and a Shield given to the overall best graduate, a further award was granted to the student who showed the best physical fitness and the ability to help others during training.   

Following the graduation ceremony Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP for the Cotswolds commented:   

“It was clear from the pride on the faces of the family and friends who attended the ceremony, having travelled far and wide from across the UK, what a huge achievement this was for the RAF trainee firefighters. I spoke with many family members after the ceremony and heard from them what an important opportunity the RAF was providing these young people in achieving life-enhancing skills. Some students only got involved with the programme following suggestions from school careers advisors, taking on short-term work experiences which has now led to completing a high-skilled course which will help them with their future careers.   

“This is a culmination of about 5 years of negotiations between the MOD, Capita, the Managing Director Dominik, and myself to get the entire Defence Fire and Rescue transferred from the old RAF facilities in Kent to the Fire College in Moreton-in- Marsh. This has brought significant investment including a long-term modernising project worth £525m, the securement of over 100 jobs at the college, and the £1 million dedicated Defence Fire and Rescue Building where the graduation ceremony was held.”