Hats off as Shropshire's new fire recruits celebrate

Martin Tomanek and Bogdan Ciornei are among the 23 on-call firefighters for Shropshire Fire and Rescue, who took part in a passing out parade at a Celebration of Success event staged at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury.

Mr Tomanek came to Shropshire 13 years ago from Slovakia to work as a volunteer at the outdoor activity Pioneer Centre in Cleobury Mortimer, where he is now a maintenance engineer.

Although he spoke no English when he first arrived, the 33-year-old learned the language, went to university and later married his Slovakian girlfriend Tanya.

The couple now have a 17-month-old daughter called Lorelei.

Mr Tomanek said he had wanted to become a firefighter since his parents were badly injured in a car crash in Poland five years ago.

Mr Ciornei was a firefighter before leaving for the UK just over two years ago to be with his wife and son.

He too spoke little English to start with and life was "very hard".

The 31-year-old admitted being almost in tears every time he saw a fire engine which reminded him of the life he had left behind.

But he gained a job as a scrap co-ordinator for Denso Manufacturing UK in Telford and then joined the Shropshire fire service in June.

He is now based at Tweedale fire station in Telford as an on-call firefighter. He also won the top student award for his course.

He said: "I was a firefighter and the crew manager in Romania for more than eight years.

"Firefighting is my second love and I hope one day I can be a full-time firefighter."

There were also four women firefighters at this week's event – which is the highest number to join at the same time and brings the total to 20 across Shropshire.

Group commander Mark Donnelly said the annual event was held to welcome the new recruits and to recognise their dedication and commitment to serve the people of Shropshire.

He said these were "special awards" and that everyone had worked extremely hard to achieve what they have.

"They had worked extremely hard to pass the entry tests," he said.

"Over a period of approximately 20 weeks our recruits have undertaken and completed their basic training.

"This involved both practical and theoretical training followed by several assessments."

He added: "It is fair to say that all those here tonight have successfully completed their training through a combination of hard work, determination and commitment.

"We of course also have to thank the families who throughout this period of training and development have supported them during their journey."

The other recruits include a music teacher from Minsterley, a Clun barmaid, a Market Drayton prison officer, a trainee silversmith from Oswestry, a Snowden marathon winner who works as a sales manager in Bridgnorth and a former Cluedo champion from Newport.

Anyone interested in becoming an on-call firefighter can visit www.shropshirefire.gov.uk or call (01743) 260200.