Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 15/09/2006 15:39

Over eighty people attended the first community fire station open evening in the county on Monday 11 September.



Firefighters from Bude Fire Station invited everyone in their community to visit their local fire station for the evening. Those attending included local councillors, including Leader of the County Council David Whalley, Executive Member for Public Protection Ken Yeo, Chief Fire Officer Matt Littmoden, employers of the retained firefighters at Bude, ex-firefighters, potential recruits and representatives of local businesses.



Divisional Commander Jan Sturges explained, “The objectives of the evening were to thank the families, employers and the community for the support that they all provide to Cornwall County Fire Brigade and especially the personnel at Bude Station, to demonstrate the wide range of skills and professionalism of the retained firefighters and to encourage members of the community to consider joining Bude Fire Station as firefighters.”



Bude Station Officer Daryl Wellington added, “The evening began with an introduction to the crew and a description of how committed they are to their community and Cornwall County Fire Brigade. The firefighters were introduced in their normal civilian working attire to demonstrate that they are firefighters ‘part time’ and hold down full-time jobs as well as responding to emergency calls.”



The benefit of having a retained firefighter as your employee was highlighted by Station Officer Sacha Wheatman who explained that retained firefighters can gain many qualifications that are advantageous to their employers. These qualifications can range from health and safety, First Aid at work to holding an LGV licence.



County Council Executive Member for Public Protection Ken Yeo says, “This excellent event demonstrated the inter-dependence of the fire service with local community employers. People rely on firefighters to keep them safe, and the service relies on those living in the community for its recruits and the support of their employers. This good-natured relationship was very much in evidence in Bude.”



Following the introductions the Bude firefighters and St. Johns Ambulance performed a road traffic collision exercise at the front of the station, demonstrating the different equipment they are trained to use for getting people out of vehicles and dealing with casualties. The evening concluded with food and drink in the Bude Central Methodist Church. This gave people time to ask questions, including queries about the new fire safety legislation and becoming a retained firefighter.



The employers of the retained firefighters were personally thanked for their continuing support of Cornwall County Fire Brigade.