Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service proudly welcomes nine new wholetime firefighters
19/03/2026
Nine new wholetime firefighters have successfully completed their initial training and are now ready to respond to emergencies across Cambridgeshire.
The new recruits’ families were invited to join them at the Service’s state of the art Training Centre in Huntingdon to witness their passing-out ceremony where they demonstrated the skills they had learned and developed during their ten-week course.
During their rigorous training, the firefighters learnt many skills including how to rescue casualties from road traffic collisions, provide advanced first aid to casualties at incidents, safely fight fires and rescue people from water. The course tested their teamwork and resilience, and stands them in good stead for long and successful careers in the fire service.
Chief Fire Officer Matthew Warren said: “It is always a pleasure to see our new recruits demonstrate some of the many skills they have gained and developed during their time at our Training Centre. I was proud to have the opportunity to present them with their certificates at their pass out ceremony and I wish them every success in their careers with us.”
During the passing out event, each recruit was awarded a certificate of completion by Chief Fire Officer, Matthew Warren. A silver axe was awarded to Daisy Powell. This award is selected by lead instructors on the course, and recognises an individual for being the highest-achieving recruit on the course.
The new recruits will now join their stations and start responding to emergencies. As part of their ongoing development, they will also complete an apprenticeship in Level 3 Operational Firefighter with Colchester Institute.
A spokesperson for Colchester Institute said: “This first passing out parade for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service’s inaugural apprentice cohort marks a significant milestone, highlighting the power of partnerships between education and emergency services. Through the apprenticeship levy, the service is investing in its future workforce, developing skilled, resilient firefighters rooted in their communities. Apprenticeships truly change lives and, in this case, they are preparing individuals to go on and save lives.”
James Tye – Dogsthorpe fire station
Josh Eagle – Cambridge fire station
Daisy Powell – Stanground fire station
Alan Butt - Huntingdon fire station
Matt Burlison - Cambridge fire station
Lewis Barrie - Stanground fire station
Sam Herbert – Stanground fire station
Henri Cherrington – Ely fire station
Aaron Morgan - Dogsthorpe fire station
Have you ever considered a career as a firefighter? While we’re not currently recruiting for wholetime firefighters, we are recruiting for on-call firefighters. For more information and to start your application, visit www.cambsfire.gov.uk to start your journey to a rewarding career serving your community.
Anyone interested in hearing about wholetime firefighter recruitment can sign up to the Service’s vacancy e-bulletins.
To celebrate completing their training the new firefighters are taking on a challenge to raise money for fellow firefighter, Watch Commander, Paul Whitaker, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer.
They will be walking 18 miles whilst carrying a stretcher loaded with 80kg of weight. By taking on this challenge the recruits hope to help boost the funds needed to support Paul’s treatment to give him more time with his wife and children.
Those wishing to support the challenge can donate at: https://gofund.me/38eb1eff4
