Michael Rimmer, a 56-year-old former Royal Air Force (RAF) member, has completed a 12-week training program with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). Mr. Rimmer, who had a 31-year-long career with the RAF, expressed his excitement at the opportunity and stated that he wondered why he did not become a firefighter earlier.
He emphasized that age should not be a barrier and that one can have much to offer regardless of age. Originally from Carlisle, Mr. Rimmer moved to Foyers in the Highlands with his wife in 2018 and then to Banchory in Aberdeenshire in 2020. He graduated with 92 other trainees at a ceremony in Lanarkshire and has joined the Green Watch team at the Aberdeen Central fire station.
‘Fatherly role’
Michael Rimmer, a former RAF employee, has completed a 12-week Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) training after spending 31 years in the RAF. He said that despite his age, he enjoyed the challenge and wondered why he did not take up this career earlier. Mr. Rimmer, who is from Carlisle but moved to Foyers in the Highlands in 2018, graduated along with 92 other trainees at a ceremony in Lanarkshire. He has now joined the Green Watch at Aberdeen Central fire station.
According to him, anyone who is fit and works hard can join the fire and rescue service. Moreover, he will maintain an on-call role in Banchory while continuing his full-time firefighter role in Aberdeen. SFRS head of training, Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Bruce Farquharson, said the SFRS is committed to demonstrating that age, gender, religion, or sexuality are not obstacles to success within the SFRS, and they will work with candidates every step of the way to help them meet the required standards.
