Annual Ilkley Fire Station Open Day well attended
Ilkley Fire Station welcomed the community to its annual Open Day on 25 July and provided an opportunity for visitors to learn more about the work of the fire service and receive practical advice on fire and water safety.
The event attracted a fantastic turnout and provided a valuable opportunity for local organisations to come together, share important safety messages and engage with the community in a fun and informative setting.
Guests were able to get up close to our new 4x4 MAN fire appliance and watch firefighters take part in a series of road traffic collision (RTC) demonstrations, showcasing the skills and equipment used to rescue casualties. Safe cooking was also a key theme throughout the day, with our chip pan demonstration trailer highlighting the dangers of leaving cooking unattended.
Bingley Blue Watch attended with their popular water flume, helping to raise awareness of the risks associated with rivers and moving water. Representatives from Mountain Rescue and West Yorkshire Police were also on hand, offering advice on staying safe on the moors and taking steps to protect personal belongings.
Climate Action Ilkley joined the event to promote the community orchard and share information about the ongoing care and watering of its fruit trees. Visitors could also speak to representatives from The Good Heating Company, who provided energy advice and distributed free carbon monoxide detectors.
The day was further supported by Alpkit Ilkley, whose axe-throwing activity proved popular with visitors, while Blooms Coffee Bar and The Ilkley Kitchen kept everyone refreshed with a range of food and drinks throughout the event.
Ed Poulter, Crew Manager at Ilkley Fire Station: "Our open day is all about giving the community an insight into the work firefighters do here at Ilkley Fire Station. Whether that's responding to moorland fires, road traffic collisions or water rescues on the River Wharfe. It's also a chance to share important safety messages that can help prevent emergencies from happening in the first place.
"We were delighted by the fantastic turnout this year. Visitors enjoyed learning through demonstrations such as the chip pan trailer and water flume, and seeing our new 4x4 MAN fire appliance up close, which will help us reach incidents in difficult terrain across the district.
"As an on-call fire station, we rely on local people to help us provide an emergency response. If our open day has inspired you to become a firefighter, or you'd simply like to learn more about the role, please send us a message via our Facebook page. We are always happy to have a conversation about joining the team.''
