Today the team was invited to take a full part in the GMFRS Irlam Community Fire Station open day.

Within Greater Manchester, Irlam fire station is unique in that it houses resources and vehicles from GMFRS, Greater Manchester Police and NWAS.

Leaving our Ladybridge Hall Base/HQ at 10:20 this morning, we arrived at Irlam Community Fire Station, just as the day’s events opened at 11:00.

The team had on display our Land Rover Defender Mountain Rescue Ambulance BM2 and our Incident Control vehicle BM6.

Six team members were on hand to answer the many questions put to us by interested members of the public throughout the day. Members present were our Chairman Craig Lamb, Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE, trainee team member Neil Haigh, Equipment Officer (Communications and Lighting) Steve Fletcher, John Dickinson and Mike Marsh.

Despite rain showers throughout almost the whole day, there were still a steady number of interested visitors to all the displays present.

The following organisations were present today:

• British Red Cross FESS (Fire and Emergency Support Service vehicle)
• GMFRS Nissan van Operational Support Unit
• GMFRS Water Rescue Unit from Eccles Community Fire Station, which had on display its RIB rescue boat and their Mayday Hansa Board
• GMFRS children’s “Disco” fire engine & mini children’s fire engine
• GMFRS Iveco Daily van Welfare Unit and Welfare Unit pod
• GMFRS Irlam Community Fire Station-based pump appliance
• Maritime Volunteer Service
• Salvation Army Catering Unit vehicle (congratulations to Nigel Tansley on his MBE!)
• Barricade (American) police car from “Transformers” – this display from Transformers Car Hire kindly raised charity donations in aid of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice of Retford, Nottingham (respite care for young children) – www.bluebellwood.org
• GMC Fire Service Museum Society Dennis Metz turntable ladder vintage fire engine
• Irlam Fire Station climbing wall
• The Fire Fighter’s Charity
• NWAS Emergency Ambulance A567
• GMP PSCOs

With grateful thanks to the generosity of the many visitors to our display today, we are pleased to announce we raised £15.18 from collection buckets at the fire station.