AROUND 1,500 people took to Whitley Wood Fire Station for a day of live demonstrations, activities and educational opportunities on Saturday, August 26.
The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service was hosting its first open day since October 2022 and, despite some wet weather, visitors came out in their numbers to meet firefighters and learn about their day-to-day routines.
There was an opportunity for people to check out the service’s aerial ladder platform in the station’s yard, while also getting up close to the fire engines which are sent to incidents across Berkshire.
Crews and Prevention staff spoke with guests about home fire safety, barbecues, water safety and the dangers posed by lithium ion batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters.
The open day also helped raise more than £2,000 for The Fire Fighters Charity, with donations collected throughout the day and gifts donated to the station being used for a raffle. Profits from food and drink sales also went to the charity.
