Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) will be hosting an open day at Wokingham Fire Station on Tuesday 16 August, with plenty on offer for kids and adults alike.
The open day will run between 11am and 3pm, giving visitors a chance to get to know their local fire station and see a number of spectacular demonstrations put on by RBFRS crews.
Crews have planned the day so that visitors can have an idea of what it is like to be a firefighter. There will be a display of an impressive breathing apparatus drill, during which the fire station’s breathing apparatus chamber, commonly known as the ‘smoke tent’ will be filled with synthetic smoke. Visitors will have a chance to go into the breathing apparatus chamber attached to a rope – but minus the smoke and navigate around it with some of our firefighters, to allow people to get a taste of the challenging environment firefighters often face when doing their job.
Firefighters will be demonstrating the capabilities of the Aerial Ladder Platform, which is primarily used to deliver water from height at incidents such as a fire at a block of flats. Visitors will also be able to see a hot oil pan fire demonstration – which will highlight the very real risk of a kitchen fire – and what should be done in the event that a fire does break out.
There will be a mix of RBFRS vehicles on display, including the Mercedes Atego fire engine, the Heavy Rescue Unit from Dee Road Fire Station (subject to availability), as well as a trip down memory lane for some, as a vintage fire engine from the 1970s is expected to make a special appearance.
RBFRS partners from organisations including Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service will take part by meeting and giving information to visitors.
It is hoped that the day will provide much needed funding for The Fire Fighters Charity, which supports people in the fire and rescue community when they are in need. There will be several charity stalls and refreshments and food will be available to buy on the day.
There is no parking permitted on the Fire Station site, but there are public car parks at the side of and opposite the Fire Station.