The Force is strong with Dublin Fire Brigade’s 35 newest recruits
A total of 35 new recruits have joined the ranks of Dublin Fire Brigade after 18 weeks of intense training.
In a spectacular showcase proving that not even a threat from a galaxy far, far away can deter Dublin’s firefighters, the recruits celebrated their passing-out parade with a Star Wars-themed demonstration. Displaying fast-paced reactions to everything from blazing fires to vehicle collisions , the new recruits showed off best practices for responding to any emergency.
Chief Fire Officer with Dublin Fire Brigade Greg O’Dwyer, told the new recruits: “Every one of you here today is following in the footsteps of a long line of first responders who have carried the badges of their fire service with pride and honour. You are entrusted with that duty and I am confident you will carry it out faithfully. I wish you all a long and happy career with Dublin Fire Brigade.”
Having completed the physical element to their training, they will go on to take part in a two-year paramedic programme which includes 15 weeks classroom-based course and mentored field internships in partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Lord Mayor Councillor Ray McAdam welcomed the new recruits and described Dublin Fire Brigade as “one of the great institutions of our capital city, trusted, respected and loved by Dubliners in every community.” “Today, as we celebrate the members of Class 01 of 2026, we also celebrate their decision to serve this city with courage, professionalism and pride. They now join a proud tradition of public service that holds a special place in the hearts of Dubliners,” he said.
The Lord Mayor also presented the Silver Axe award to firefighter Michael Impey. This honours the best new recruit and recognises tremendous performance during their training.
“It’s a fantastic privilege to have won the Silver Axe, but I think having been in such a class with such a group of people, I wouldn't have got the Silver Axe without them. They're absolutely fantastic. We went through a massive journey here, and it was a rollercoaster. It had an awful lot of hard times, and there were an awful lot of tears. There was an awful lot of joy. They're lunatics. They're great craic. All will remain in our compound, the stories,” Michael told Dublin Live after receiving the award.
“But to call one person out is really a hard thing to do. And I wouldn’t like to make that decision myself, because we really were so close and it was so tight. I'm not sure what pipped it for me to be honest with you.”
A new class of recruits will start their training in June to undergo the same course as these 35 now probationary firefighters. Chief O’Dwyer said it's incredible to see the variety of new recruits every year bringing their experiences from all kinds of different fields to Dublin Fire Brigade.
“We’re a big organisation and we have approximately 30 to 40 retirees each year and it’s always great to see the new recruits coming in with that new enthusiasm," he said.
“It’s great to see what youth and energy brings to the job. But it’s great to see that balance across the organisation with the senior personnel and then the more enthusiastic junior personnel as well.
“People of all ages want to come here. But anyone you’re seeing today in the passing out parade really wanted to be here. It takes a lot to become a firefighter. You have to put yourself through it for about six months and many people here today it be their third or fourth attempt and they're finally here.”
Chief O’Dwyer explained that people who make it through the recruit process and training are determined and driven. “They are the type of people we need. They are the type of people we want,” he said.
This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme