CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson led the ceremony, which marked the end of a 16-week recruit training course.
The recruits and their family and friends were also joined by Minister for Emergency Services Peter Ryan, CFA Chairman Kerry Murphy, CFA CEO Mick Bourke and Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley to celebrate their achievement.
The new career firefighters will begin working at 13 locations throughout Victoria from next week.
They bring with them a variety of professional backgrounds including trades, emergency services, engineering, defence, finance, government, medical, sales and IT.
Many also have previous experience as volunteer firefighters at CFA.
From the recruit class, 24 per cent hail from the Melbourne metropolitan area.
Many of the new firefighters will be making a huge lifestyle change – not only working in regional Victoria, but living in and becoming a part of these communities.
Two of this year’s recruits have already made a huge change, relocating from Coffs Harbour in New South Wales and another from Roxby Downs in South Australia. They will take up positions at Ballarat and Mildura.
Firefighting capacity will also be boosted at Boronia, Craigieburn, Frankston, Bendigo, Belmont, Wangaratta, Greenvale, Rosebud, Mornington, Patterson River and Sunbury.
CFA operations rely on the skills of 1,550 career personnel and more than 55,000 volunteers and every one of these members make a significant contribution to the well-being and safety of Victorians.
As well as celebrating the recruits, seven CFA members received awards for outstanding service and contribution to the organisation. Cameron McGregor received a National Medal, Ross McGregor received an Outstanding Service Medal and Ian Ireland, Billy Smith, Graeme Dehnert, Trevor Guppy and Scott Hunt all received the Chief Officer’s Commendation for Courage Award.
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