Kids Quiz Red Watch
Huyton Today reporters paid a pre-Bonfire Night visit to Huyton fire Station to learn about the role of today's firefighters and some of their concerns as the firework season loomed.
Picture: Huyton Today reportes Stephen Elverson, michael Newman, Andrew Lord, Vicky Evans and Laura Vaughan try our the equipment at Huyton Fire Station
Watch Commander Ray Lovelady, in charge of Red Watch team, told our reporters of the dangers associated with the misuse and irresponsible handling of fireworks. His message was short and simple - well organised public displays are the safest option and limiting the sale of fireworks to the week before Bonfire Night should reduce danger.
The role of the firefighter has widened dramatically over the years and now encompasses much work within the community.
A typical working day could involve liaison with the public, visits to schools, businesses and public buildings, leafleting vulnerable areas of the community, offering advice, raising levels of fitness for the physical demands of the job alongside their crucial firefighting and rescue work.
The firefighters also spend time in the residential sector, fitting smoke detectors and offering potentially life-saving advice to householders. Through funding available, Merseyside Fire Service is able to supply free smoke detectors to homes in the area; more details are available on Freephone 0800 7315958, or simply contact your local fire station.
The station at Huyton is one of the busiest for its size in the country, receiving between two and a half and three thousand calls per year. The station is equipped with one state of the art appliance, at a cost of approximately £150,000.
Our reporters had their eyes well and truly opened to the dangers in our homes through careless use of candles, electrical appliances and that most lethal of items, the chip pan. Indeed, one of the Fire Service’s most recent warning posters features the message, ‘DON’T DRINK AND FRY’, a grim reference to the increasing dangers of late night cooking after an evening out.
Vicky Evans commented, “The visit was brilliant. We all had something to say, ask or request and the fire officer we spoke to was really helpful. They let us have our pictures taken in the fire engine, although we could maybe have missed the soaking with the hose! (Just joking!)”
Laura Vaughan made the point that firemen, “..don’t just rescue people and animals from fires, but are on the scene in car accidents and lots of other crises.”
Andrew Lord summed up the reporters’ feelings when he said, “I am really glad we have such brilliant firefighters in Huyton.”
Perhaps a career in the Fire Service beckons for one or two of our reporters after their visit.