One of the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service’s newest recruits has won a prestigious award after graduating from the UK Fire Service College in Gloucestershire.

Amber Carridge was presented with the Silver Axe during the graduation ceremony at Moreton-in-Marsh attended by Kevin Groom, Chief Fire Officer, and Mark Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Home Affairs. The accolade is awarded to the outstanding individual on the Firefighter Foundation Development Programme.

The intensive eight-week course prepares new recruits for a career in a frontline emergency service by focusing on six key disciplines – basic fire ground skills, breathing apparatus, first person on the scene, road traffic collision, hazardous materials and understanding incident command. It is attended by trainee firefighters from around the United Kingdom, as well as the Isle of Man, Gibraltar and St Kitts.

Amber, who is the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service’s first female wholetime firefighter, is now putting her training and skills into practice as a member of Green Watch at Douglas Fire Station.

She said: ‘The Firefighter Foundation Development Programme provided a good grounding and initial insight regarding the working life of a firefighter. I was tested physically and mentally throughout the eight-week period and was continuously assessed. The course covered various aspects of what the role entails. Overall it was a very positive experience and I was delighted to be awarded the Silver Axe at the end of the course. There’s still a huge learning curve ahead of me, but I’m excited to develop a career within the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service.’

The Silver Axe is judged on a participant’s performance in the technical and practical aspects of the training programme, the quality of their research project and their overall conduct throughout the eight weeks.

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK said: ‘The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service is at the forefront of the Department’s efforts to protect the local community. It is essential to recruit the right people and equip them with the training, knowledge and values to perform a range of life-saving skills. We are all extremely proud of Amber’s achievements and wish her well as she embarks on what I hope will be a long and successful career.’

Chief Fire Officer Kevin Groom added: ‘To become a firefighter requires dedication, determination and commitment. Amber has demonstrated those qualities in abundance and will become a valued part of the team that works hard to keep the Island safe.

‘The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service offers opportunities for both men and women to pursue a challenging but rewarding career. We have two women currently serving as retained firefighters and while Amber is our first female wholetime firefighter I hope that others will be inspired to follow in her footsteps.’