Demonstrating the excellent links and relationships we have with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, the Bolton MRT was present today to display one of our vehicles and specialist search and rescue equipment at another fire station Open Day, today it was the GMFRS Eccles Community Fire Station Open Day.
We had on display one of our four Land Rover Mountain Rescue Ambulances, radio call sign ‘Bolton Mobile 3’. Along with team members David Crawford, Naomi Horan and Diane Blakeley.
There was a lot for families to see and a range of emergency vehicles for children to jump in for a photograph, including many current GMFRS operational Fire Appliances, a Vintage Turntable Ladder Fire Engine from the Greater Manchester Fire Museum, the Fire Service Water Rescue Unit, the Parade Fire Engine complete with its bubbles and party music, a Fire Fighter experience and rides in the GMFRS specially built children’s fire engine complete with blue lights and sirens. Of course one of the stars was the GMFRS mascot Cracker who was in a particularly enthusiastic mood today, with lots of dancing with the many children and hugs for team member Diane Blakeley.
The Salvation Army provided refreshments for visitors to the open day via their mobile catering unit.
The sun shone throughout the day especially into the afternoon, with many children and adults alike having a seat in the team Land Rover Ambulance. This is one of the smaller open day’s but that actually allowed members of the public to spend more time talking to us about our work, many of them being extremely surprised that we are volunteers, cover the Eccles area and the variety of our work.
The team would like to thank the public for their donations which raised £16.09 for Bolton MRT. The team would also like to extend its thanks to all at GMFRS Eccles Community Fire station for kindly inviting us to their Fire Station Open Day, particularly Geoff Fagan of Blue Watch at Eccles.
On Saturday 19th October 2013 we will be present at GMFRS Bolton North Fire Station Open Day where one of our Emergency Land Rover Ambulances is based.
