FIREFIGHTERS of the future and the community had a chance to take a backstage tour of fire stations when they threw their doors open across the state last weekend with a serious message to spread.
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About 300 people attended Tamworth Fire and Rescue NSW’s open day on Saturday, which organisers said was on par with previous years, to see demonstrations of equipment and a car being cut open.
“The day is designed to showcase what we do,” station commander Tim Gillard said.
“We want to show our core functions of firefighting, rescue, hazmat and community education, and probably one of the biggest points was the smoke alarm campaign. We wanted to demonstrated that we are here to help.”
There were displays of equipment, hazardous materials display, a rescue display, display of old and current protective clothing, a sausage sizzle and a children’s dress-up area.
“There were lots of smiles on faces and we also had Lego as a partnership, so we had showbags and some little Lego sets that were given away,” station commander Gillard said.
As well as showing the community what they did, it was also a chance for firefighters to speak to those who are interested in taking up a career in Fire and Rescue NSW.
“I got a number of inquiries for a retained and full-timer positions and hopefully some of those children who came through thought it was an appropriate career when they grow up,” Mr Gillard said.