Public urged to join fire service for last joint open day

Fire Service Museum

Rochdale Fire Station and Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum are inviting people to join them at what will probably be their last major joint open day event at the Maclure Road base this weekend, as the service prepares to move to its brand new fire station on Halifax Road, due for completion next year.

The event, on Sunday 4 September, will show off the very latest fire and rescue equipment, as well as all the attractions in the adjacent Museum collection, first opened in 1983.

Water Rescue equipment, Urban Search-and-Rescue vehicles and the special Victim Support Unit will all be on show and there will be road traffic collision rescue demonstrations.

Visitors will also be able to meet community fire safety officers and arrange home fire risk assessments.

The Museum will be boosting its own displays with guest collections and a range of visiting preserved vehicles from all over the country.

The star attraction will be “Jezebel,” a 1916 Dennis N-type fire engine which is being brought from the Imperial College of Science in London especially for the day.

Younger visitors will able to enjoy fairground rides, a famous bouncy fire engine, barrel organ and a face painter, as well as other games and stalls.

A special feature will be the official opening of the event by the Blackpool Town Crier, Barry McQueen.

The event runs from 10.00am to 4.00pm with free admission.