18 young firefighters have just completed an 18 month chief fire officer training course at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe in Duisburg. All of them passed their examination, which is administered by Düsseldorf district council and tests knowledge in 53 subjects, with the grade good. The 17 men and one woman aged between 23 and 29 are on track to reinforce the steelmaker's works fire department and replace retiring colleagues.

As soon as they have completed ten months intensive practical and paramedic training they will be given permanent jobs at the company’s sites in Duisburg, Bochum, Dortmund and Siegerland.

The young firefighters, most of them are former RAG employees, have an outstanding skills profile. All of them had previously completed an apprenticeship in trades such as energy electronics specialist, mechatronics technician or mining technician. A further 18 months’ training under the wing of Mr Wilhelm Schulte Werflinghoff, head of the rescue service college, state certified senior training officer and chief fire inspector at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe, has made them sought after experts in industrial firefighting.

Ms Sarah Palazzo, production forewoman and freshly minted chief fire officer, said that "Eight hours of lessons a day plus preparation and after class work in firefighting, mathematics, German, physics, chemistry, rescue swimming, rescue from heights, driver's license class CE and intimate knowledge of production processes in the steel industry give our young people not only the confidence and orientation they need for their challenging tasks but also excellent career prospects. My job is exciting and varied, it's a dream come true."