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Issue:- 21 June  2012

Formby Fire Station Community Day

FORMBY Fire Station was officially opened on 11 June 2012, by retired Chief Fire Officer, Tony McGuirk and children from Trinity St Peter's Junior School, Formby. It is one of the first of the new and distinctively designed Community Fire Station across Merseyside. It is apparently down to individual authorities to decide whether to go down this path, which is already operating in Northern Ireland, and Merseyside is amongst the first to follow. The Fire Brigade are expected to be joined later by the Regional Ambulance Service, but the timing has not yet been finalised. The two services will share the same administrative staff. Caroline McGee, the Community Safety Manager for Sefton was enthusiastic about this new system, and pointed out that it will also make it much easier to arrange more complex training exercises together, covering a variety of scenarios, enhancing performance to the benefit of all. There is a well equipped staff gym on the site, which will also be available to the local Primary Care Trust for them to arrange for their qualified staff to with for their patients. Also extended to the community is the use of a spacious meeting room, overlooking Liverpool Rd. This will only be by prior application and approval however.

On Saturday, 14 June 2012, the station was open for public inspection and also became the venue for various community groups to fund raise and raise the profile of their organisations. This included a splendid turn out of St John Ambulance Brigade, who had also brought one of their mannekins and were giving members of the public instruction on resuscitation. The Fire Service Charities ran an interesting stall, despite the challenge of the wind. Very popular amongst the young folk were the yellow plastic helmets on sale. Also a hit with the little ones was a tiny fire appliance provided by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Heritage and Education Centre. This fascinating enterprise now has a home in the new Bridle Road premises in Bootle, (Netherton end) . Visits are by appointment; for further information, call:- 0151 296 4640 or email:- dannymurphy@merseyfire.gov.uk.

This collection should appeal to all age groups looking for an interesting outing. Food and drinks, on Saturday were being provided by a very cheery band of young people of the Prince's Trust Volunteers, under the guidance of Jo-Anne Seddon. Their aim was to raise money for the Sure Start Children's Charity in Netherton, where they are also helping with refurbishments. It was heartening to hear their enthusiasm for their task. On offer too, was the chance to sit in the two real fire engines and to imagine and lots of youngsters were keen to try. Also popular was the opportunity to scale the climbing tower, well togged out and with expert advice on hand. It really was tempting, but the little ones did so well, the competition was too strong.

All in all, a great achievement:- It isn't so long since Formby faced the loss of appliances but now there is this spanking new station. The whole concept of the Community Fire Station sounds a very promising venture and we hope it will flourish, to the advantage of all.

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