Duckling Rescue for Greenbank Firefighter Before New Role
A rescue involving a group of tiny ducklings has provided a memorable moment for Greenbank firefighter Murray McCammick as he moves into a new role at the station.
Murray, who has served on White Watch for just under four years, has recently been promoted to Crew Manager on Red Watch at Greenbank.
One of his final call outs with White Watch involved a very different kind of rescue, after firefighters were called to help a number of ducklings that had fallen into a storm drain on a Plymouth street.
The small but important rescue saw the team carefully work to free the ducklings and reunite them safely with their mother.
While it may not have been a traditional emergency, it demonstrated one of the key principles of the fire service being ready to help preserve and protect life, no matter how big or small.
For Murray, it was a special way to mark the end of his time on White Watch before taking on his new responsibilities as Crew Manager on Red Watch at the same station.
Members of the public will get the chance to meet Murray and his colleagues in person when Greenbank Fire Station throws open its doors for a Community Open Day on Sunday, August 16, from 11am to 3pm.
It’s a rare opportunity to step behind the scenes of the emergency services and see the people and equipment behind the call outs that keep Plymouth safe from major incidents to the smaller rescues, like Murray’s duckling call out, that rarely make headlines but still matter.
Entry is free, and the whole family is welcome. On the day, visitors can expect fire service demonstrations, rope rescue displays showing the specialist skills used in technical rescues, and a road traffic collision demonstration with fire, police and ambulance crews working side by side as they would at a real incident.
Visitors will also have the chance to see the equipment used by local emergency crews and learn more about the work they carry out in the community.
The event will raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity, which supports serving and retired firefighters, fire service personnel and their families during times when they need extra help. The charity provides support ranging from physical and mental health services to financial and wellbeing assistance, helping those who spend their working lives helping others.
The Greenbank Open Day is a chance for the community to meet local firefighters, discover more about their work, and say thank you to the people who are always ready to respond.
Pictures by Fire Service/Plymouth Post