Mick Kenwright, Josh Ind, Patrick Sharp and Scott Taylor are the latest recruits based at the Warrnambool Fire Station after successfully completing an intensive 19-week training course.

Mr Kenwright, originally from Geelong, said his journey to become a firefighter began three-and-a-half years ago.

“I realised I wanted to do it and chase my dream,” he said.

“You get three attempts. The first step is the application then you have to do a beep test. That is followed by an aptitude test and then a screening interview. Next is the physical challenge and then a final interview and medical.”

Mr Ind, originally from Traralgon, said he made the career change after meeting other firefighters.

“I made the move because the firefighters I met loved their job,” he said.

“The CFA has a pro-active role in the community.”

After working as a carpenter, Mr Sharp decided to try his hand at the CFA.

“It was something I decided I was interested in,” he said. 

“I was lucky enough to get in. The interviews were the hardest part.”

Warrnambool fire station officer-in-charge Greg Kinross said the 19-week training course was intense.

“It’s a new career and a new life,” he said. “Their learning doesn’t stop, they are now level one firefighters. It’s like an apprenticeship moving up to level four when they are qualified.”

Mr Kinross said Warrnambool was an integrated station with staff and volunteers.

“Without the volunteers it would be a hard job to do,” he said.

The new recruits were inducted at a ceremony by Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett at the Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre (VEMTC) at Craigieburn.

Ms Garrett also presented a bravery award, the prestigious Unit Citation for Service, to seven CFA members including Travis Klein from Warrnambool.

Mr Klein was among a group of the first firefighters on the scene at a grassfire threatening the feeder conveyer belt of the Hazelwood Power Station in February last year, five days after the coal mine fire started.