On this Bank Holiday Monday, the team was invited to attend the GMFRS Irlam Community Fire Station open day.
The community fire station has recently been repurposed as a joint Fire/Police/Ambulance premises, currently a unique setup in Greater Manchester, so now with a on-site presence from Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue service, Greater Manchester Police, and the North-West Ambulance Service, all at the one venue.
Arriving on site at 11:00 this morning we were treated to the traditional “brew & toast” by the fire crews present, before going on to setup a display of Bolton MRT equipment and vehicles by the six team members present (Steven Fletcher, Neil Aspinall, John Dickinson, Life Vice-President Alan James, Chairman Craig Lamb and Michael Wakerley). One Land Rover ambulance (BM3) and our Control vehicle (BM6) were present at today’s open day, drawing interest from members of the public.
Also present at the open day today were representatives from The Firefighter’s Charity, The British Red Cross, and the GMFRS Technical Response Unit.
Team members Neil Aspinall and Mike Wakerley enjoy a ride on a GMFRS Aerial Ladder Platform at Irlam Fire Station open day
At today’s event, members of the public had the opportunity to experience a “ride” (for want of a better word) on a GMFRS Aerial Ladder Platform, a.k.a the Simon Snorkel, where for a donation of £2.50 towards the Firefighter’s Charity the members of the public could experience a unique view of the Irlam skyline. Temptation proved too much for team members Neil Aspinall and Mike Wakerley, who stumped up a donation from their own pockets and enjoyed the view from 30 metres up!
Alas the large crowds of recent years were kept away by the blustery and generally cold weather conditions today, but nevertheless members of the public donated £10.09p in our team collecting boxes.
Our thanks are expressed to GMFRS Station Manager (Agecroft and Irlam) Angus Robinson, and Firefighter Dave Pike (Blue Watch) for inviting us to attend today’s open day, and also we mustn’t forget the GMFRS catering staff who kept us well fed & watered throughout the day!
