If you’re looking for a fun-filled event for the whole family, come along to Whitley Wood Fire Station’s open day on Saturday, 25 June.
At the open day, which will run from 11am to 4pm, visitors will have the opportunity to explore Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s (RBFRS) Fire Alpha II Rescue Boat, which responds to emergencies on the River Thames, the Heavy Rescue Unit, which is used at road traffic collisions involving large vehicles such as lorries, and the Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP), which is primarily used to deliver water from height at incidents such as a fire at a block of flats.
If all those activities weren’t enough, there will be an ice cream van available for the little ones and a barbecue. The crew will also be on hand to teach visitors how to provide life-saving CPR. The open day will be lots of fun but will also provide the perfect opportunity for people to talk to our firefighters about a range of safety topics including how to prevent a fire in the home, and how to stay safe around water.
The open day will also include live simulated road traffic collision demonstrations from UK regional extrication teams. During the event, the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) competition team will be competing against teams from Cornwall, South Wales, Hereford & Worcester, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and London Fire Brigade in a bid to claim victory.
During the demonstrations, the teams will show their skills in removing ‘casualties’ from realistic road collision scenarios using specialist cutting gear and rescue equipment. Every move will be scrutinised by a team of assessors and teams have to compete against the clock as well as each other. The teams will have the opportunity to win a series of awards throughout the day for their individual efforts as well as teamwork.
Please note that there is limited parking available on the fire station on Whitley Wood Road, so visitors are advised to use off road parking or public transport where possible.