5/14/2013 8:36:32 PM

May 3, 2013
Mayor Rob Ford and Fire Chief Jim Sales welcomed 46 new City of Toronto firefighters and 10 fire prevention officers who graduated from the Toronto Fire Services recruit training program this afternoon. Mayor Ford and Chief Sales congratulated each new member of Toronto Fire Services as they received their certificates and hat badges.

"The men and women who bravely serve in the Toronto Fire Services are a part of an elite team of frontline emergency responders," said Mayor Rob Ford. "I want to thank each of you who will dedicate yourselves to protecting lives, property and the environment in Toronto."

“This is indeed a proud moment for the new members of our team and their families,” said Chief Sales “They have come a long way in their training and will proudly serve the residents of Toronto.”

The graduation ceremony was held at the Toronto Fire/EMS Training Centre on Eastern Avenue.

The training that the new firefighters received will enable them to perform fire ground and rescue operations, including hazardous materials calls, respond to medical emergencies and motor vehicle accidents, perform emergency patient care, educate the public about fire prevention and fire safety practices, conduct inspections and, while in station, maintain firefighting apparatus.

The training of the fire prevention officers provides a thorough understanding of the Ontario Fire Code as it applies to the various structures, industrial sites and human occupancies in Toronto. The officers will also be able to represent Fire Services in court for contraventions of the fire code.