Five new Tasmania Fire Service recruits are headed to Launceston.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sam Neal, Shannen Butters, Cameron Avery, Luke McLaren and Sam Grachan graduated from the service's training course on Friday.
Mr Neal, 25, relocated to Tasmania from Sydney for the start of the TFS training course in October.
"I was in medical sales for about 18 months before this job," Mr Neal said.
"Firies have a big involvement with the community and just adding that practical physical aspect to the job as well was really attractive.
"I've always had jobs here and there that have been working with people and I've always been drawn to those jobs."
In other news:
Mr Neal said he was looking forward to getting to know the other firies and putting to practice the skills he has learned over the past months.
He said he was thrilled to be graduating and had family visiting from Sydney for the ceremony.
Former ranger and crocodile catcher in the Northern Territory Mr McLaren said being a career firefighter was a dream job of his.
"And I wanted to move to Tasmania so it was two goals together," Mr McLaren said.
"I was a volunteer firefighting in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney where I grew up, then a bushfire firefighter in the ACT and as a ranger I also did a lot of bush firefighting.
"It's something I've always had a strong interest in."
The 36-year-old said the main appeal of the job was the chance to serve the community.
TFS chief officer Chris Arnol welcomed the new firefighters to the ranks.
"Recruit courses are filled with memories firefighters never forget and graduation is a milestone moment for those who have joined one of society's most trusted and respected professions," Mr Arnol said.
"They are now ready to respond to call outs for all types of incidents."
The five Launceston bound recruits graduated with eight other firefighters who will be stationed in Hobart, Burnie and Devonport.
The graduation brings the total number of career firefighters in Tasmania to 334.