Run and get the fire brigade.

No - there is no fire. For those of a certain vintage.. thats the song by The Move. As in Roy Wood?? of Wizzard fame? NO?... you must all be spring chickens then...

But why oh why am I rambling on about a song by The Move? Because the cubs went to visit a local Fire Station last Saturday - and they had a great time! ( I know... still no reason to waffle on about an ancient song grandad!!).
 

No not 911! Its 999!

With a nice early start the cubs assembled at Hollins Fire Station in Oldham on Saturday morning. After first meeting Paul the Station Commander(?), the cubs had a discussion with him about fire, smoke alarms and the best thing to do in the event of a fire. He spoke about forming a fire escape plan - this is something we will be coming back to one night at cubs (as it is part of their badge) so it could be worthwhile you all sitting down as a family and discussing it.

Cubs interested in hoses!

After being shown how the station gets the information about what the fire is and where it is etc, Paul gave the cubs a taster of what it sounds like when the alarm goes off! He did inform the rest of the station that it was a test...so we didnt get lots of firemen running about unneccesarily!! And after a brief discussion on how hoax phone calls are dangerous and a no-no (especially for cubs!!) it was the moment that all the cubs were waiting for!! The fire engine.

Oliver feeling the full force of a powerful hose

With a couple more firemen running the cubs through what the fire engine carries from hoses to cutters and a brief foray into the fire engine itself the cubs were fully engaged. Then it was hose time! Each cub got the chance to hold and fire the hose - with some getting a little wet in the process! Finally, after a quick blast of the siren (complete with flashing lights!!) it was time for home.

I thanked all the firemen after the cubs had left and was pleased to get a glowing report from Paul about the behaviour and attitude of the cubs. He was particularly pleased with all their questions. I did mention that the cubs may have been disappointed that there was no firemans pole - but thats the problem with a single storey building... no need for one!

One final thing I did find strange... when i asked for parent help, I expected to be inundated with help from cub's mums!!! You know... firemen!?!

 
Phil
Cub Leader