Brett Nagorcka and David Nightingale finished their six-week training program at Fiskville on Friday, following on from a two-year application process. 

Mr Nagorcka said he had wanted to be a firefighter since childhood. 

“Since I was about 14, it has been my dream.”

He volunteered with the CFA while working as an aircraft technician in Geelong. 

“I’m now in my dream career. It’s something I can see myself pursuing for the rest of my life,” Mr Nagorcka said. 

Mr Nightingale said working for the CFA ticked all the things he wanted in a career. 

He said he was more interested in the operational side and not office work, but saw potential to grow and progress. 

Before being recruited, Mr Nightingale worked as an industrial rope access technician, which included rescue work and professional abseiling. 

They were two of 23 recruits placed around the state, chosen from a pool of 1600 applicants. 

The pair will go through three to four years of training before becoming fully qualified firefighters. 

Acting officer in charge Anthony Pearce said extra staff were needed at the station.

“In their first three months, they’ll work on day shift as they get settled in,” Mr Pearce said. “It will be good to have more people available during the days because our volunteers often work during the day and aren’t available.” 

He said there were about 42 staff across the station, with seven staff on duty at a time.