Firefighters remove the roof from a van during one of the displays at Sunday's open day at Beaconsfield Fire Station. They were showing the crowd how they release people who are trapped in vehicles after crashes. Station Manager Keith Williams, far left, gave a running commentary.
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16 August 2010
There was a late addition to the timetable of events at yesterday's open day at Beaconsfield Fire Station.
Seconds after firefighters completed the final display in their drill yard, showing how they rescue people who are trapped in burning buildings, the station's turnout system activated to alert them to a real 999 call.
Visitors moved to the front of the station to watch them drive off, with blue lights flashing and two-tone siren sounding, to a car fire on the M40.
Fortunately the incident was not as serious as was initially feared - the car had overheated but not actually caught fire.
It was a dramatic end to nearly four hours of displays and entertainment for visitors of all ages.
Displays included a demonstration showing why you should never put water on a pan of cooking oil if it catches fire. Firefighters also showed visitors how they release people who are trapped in vehicles after crashes.
Kerry McShane, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service's fire investigation dog handler, gave a display with fire investigation dogs Ember and Barney. Barney vas voted Hero Dog of the Year at the national Dogs Trust Honours in June.
The station's two fire engines and water rescue unit were on display, along with the British Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Service vehicle based at Marlow Fire Station and the Dennis Ace fire engine that served at Beaconsfield from 1937 to 1961.
Fully equipped, it cost £798 when new. The station's latest fire engine cost around £250,000 fully equipped when it was delivered in 2008.
Beaconsfield Fire Station was in Wycombe End when the Dennis Ace begin its service. The station moved to Candlemas Lane in 1946 and its current site in Skelton Close in 1976.
Representatives from Thames Valley Police, South Central Ambulance Service and Bucks Search and Rescue also attended the open day.
Visitors were invited to take away a free copy of a road safety booklet produced by firefighters from Beaconsfield and Great Holm Fire Stations. It's called Crash Course and gives important information to drivers and their passengers in the event of their vehicle being involved in a collision or fire. (See separate news release here).
The open day raised £859.62 for The Fire Fighters Charity, a national charity which provides assistance to serving and retired fire and rescue service staff, their families and dependants. The additional total raised by the raffle will be announced when it is drawn next week.