Fire station open day is a hit

Scores of people young and old descended on Stalybridge Fire Station on Rassbottom Street for its family fun day on Friday.

With free admission, the event brought together the whole community for a day filled with fun and excitement.

As well as a variety of stalls, refreshments and activities, including a bouncy castle and trampolines, crowds were able meet local firefighters working in their community along with staff and volunteers from organisations including Blood Bikes Manchester, Tameside Lifeline Ambulance and St John Ambulance.

A range of equipment used by the emergency services was on display and staff carried out numerous demonstrations - with children and parents even allowed to have a go.

Deputy Mayor of Tameside Councillor Tafheen Sharif said: “It was a wonderful day as the fire station opened its doors to the public and the community and got everyone involved. It’s been fabulous, my own children have thoroughly enjoyed it and it’s a day they won’t forget.

“Events like this really bring people out and it puts a smile on their faces, even if it is just for a few hours.”

Station officer Martin Cain, who had organised the event, said: “The turnout has been way beyond what I imagined it would be.”

Martin, who has been in the service for 26 years, described it as a ‘job for everyone who meets the criteria’ and said it was an ‘inclusive’ career.

Many of the children we spoke to said becoming a firefighter was their dream job, so it was an amazing opportunity for them to have the chance to sit in the fire engines, dress up and wear the gear, watch some rescue demos and ask the firefighters lots of questions about their jobs.

Their excitement certainly mirrored what the day was all about.

The whole event was enjoyed hugely by all ages and a perfect end to the summer, with the warm sunny weather all adding to the occasion.

Alongside all of the fun, there were serious messages too, with firefighters advising members of the public about smoke alarms, providing information about home safety checks and offering tips on how to keep homes safe from fires, especially as we approach the winter months and many will be more prone to using candles.

Tameside Radio broadcast live from the event with DJ Alex B Cann braving the platform lift to be taken hundreds of feet into the air alongside Reporter photographer Nigel Wood who captured some magnificent views of the event below.

View more pictures on our website at https://www.questmedianetwork.co.uk/