SEVERAL newly trained firefighters have started at their first stations.

The recruits have just completed a 13-week intensive training programme at the International Training Centre at the West Yorkshire Fire Service Headquarters in Birkenshaw.

They have learned the basic skills such as using breathing apparatus, ladder drills, laying hoses, cutting people out of cars, chemical incidents and technical rescue using ropes.

The trainees now begin a nine-month probationary period before completing a NVQ level three qualification.

The new recruits at stations in the Huddersfield area are Paul Boon (Batley), Mark Land (Brighouse), Richard Coggan (Cleckheaton), Christopher Cawood (Dewsbury).