The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service will be opening its doors for residents to learn more about their work next weekend.
On Saturday, August 13, from 11am to 3pm, Marley Park Community Fire Station in Sunderland is giving residents the opportunity to find out more about the service.
Firefighters will be on hand to give fire safety advice to visitors about the importance of having working smoke alarms, how to plan an escape route in case of fire, keeping safe in the kitchen while cooking and how to avoid electrical fires.
There will also be operational drills and chip pan demonstrations.
As well as this, visitors will be able to sign up for a free home safety check to advise them on how to minimise the risk of fire happening in their homes.
Residents will also be able to to look around the station and the fire appliances, see how the specialist equipment works and learn how firefighters deal with different emergency situations, including road traffic collisions.
Ian Cuskin, district manager of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, explained why the open days are an important feature in the service’s calendar.
Mr Cuskin said: “Keeping the public safe drives the work of everyone in Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.
“People often think they can’t come into a fire station but we are at the heart of the local community and we welcome residents in and invite them to use the community rooms.
“Open days like this are a chance for us to spread our fire safety messages and help people find out how to keep themselves and their family safe from fire.
“People know that the fire and rescue service puts out fires and attends road traffic collisions, but there’s so much more work that we do to help create the safest community.
“More and more time is spent working with the community on fire safety initiatives to protect our most vulnerable residents and their homes from fire; carrying out home fire safety checks where we give occupiers advice on preventing fires in the home, helping them to develop a fire escape plan and fitting free smoke detectors.”
Local support groups, Northumbria Police and the North East Ambulance Service will also have representatives offering help and advice.
Mr Cuskin, who is the district manager at the service, added: “Our open days are a great family day out packed full of attractions.”
Entertainment on the day will include a climbing wall, a static animal display, a trampoline and bouncy castle, African drummers, food stalls, face painting and Disney characters.
The event also features a DJ, magician, football cage and battle zone archery.
Chairman of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority, councillor Tom Wright, said: “I would encourage everyone to come to the open day.
“Not only is it a great day out, but it’s an opportunity to find out more about your local fire and rescue service and how you can stay safe.
“The fire and rescue service is a vital part of the local community and provides a first class service.”