Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) will today welcome 163 new recruits who’ll work to prevent fires, protect communities and respond to emergencies across the state.
Since late July, seven people have died in structural fires across NSW, taking the winter toll to 15.
The 81 permanent and 82 on-call firefighters will graduate in a ceremony at Sydney Olympic Park, after completing rigorous training during the most dangerous time of the year for house fires.
The FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said the newest firefighters will play a crucial role in helping to prevent fires and save lives.
Several recruits know what it means to respond when lives are at risk. Their experience includes rescuing swimmers and performing CPR on beaches, responding to emergencies as paramedics and police officers, and assisting injured workers following a mine collapse.
Among the graduates are 10 on-call firefighters, including two Deputy Captains who have already served their communities and are now making the move to become permanent firefighters.
Others bring experience from NSW Ambulance, NSW Police, the Australian Defence Force, Surf Life Saving and other emergency services, alongside teachers, engineers, electricians, carpenters, builders, physiotherapists, disability support workers and business owners.
For one graduate, joining FRNSW continues an extraordinary family tradition of service that spans more than 380 years across Police and Ambulance emergency services. He will become the family’s first firefighter.
The cohort also includes a physiotherapist who coached Australia’s national dragon boat racing team at the 2025 World Championships, and recruits who have completed ultra-marathons, Ironman events and long-distance ocean swims.
