Families turned out throughout the day at Greenbank Fire Station in Plymouth for an action packed open day featuring demonstrations, emergency vehicles and plenty of opportunities to meet the people behind the emergency services.
Children were able to explore fire engines and specialist vehicles, sit in the cab of a fire appliance and try on breathing apparatus, giving them a glimpse of the equipment firefighters use when responding to emergencies.
Live demonstrations provided one of the main attractions, while St John Ambulance offered visitors the opportunity to learn more about first aid and what to do in an emergency.
There was also a chance to meet members of Dartmoor Search and Rescue, with advice available on road safety and fire safety throughout the event.
The open day included refreshments and family attractions, including a cake stand raising money for The Fire Fighters Charity, which supports the health and wellbeing of serving and retired members of the fire services and their families. There was also an ice cream van helping to keep visitors refreshed throughout the day.
Events like this are important for more than just giving families a fun day out. They give children the opportunity to meet emergency responders, see the work they do and learn about the different roles involved in keeping people safe. For some of the youngsters who visited Greenbank, this could even be their first glimpse of a career in the emergency services and among them could be some of the 999 responders of the future.
Photographs © Wayne Perry / Plymouth Post