The Fire Station
The Fire brigade is just one of the emergency services group.
This group includes the police, coastguard and lifeboats and the ambulance service as well.
There are many people who work hard in their jobs to help us and keep us safe.
Within these groups they have cars, different trucks, motorbikes, helicopters and all sorts of boats.
The Ambulance station is usually by a hospital so they are there to help when needed.
The police have many different vehicles, Cars, vans and motorbikes to name a few.
They also have police horses.
Motorbikes are good as they can get to people quickly by weaving through the traffic.
Paramedics also ride motorbikes especially in London where the traffic is very busy.
Fire engines have a tank of water onboard to put out fires but this only lasts a little while so they have to find water nearby to pump onto the fire.
There are fire hydrants below the ground that the firemen connect a standpipe to so they can get water.
Some fire trucks have a very long extendable ladder on them so that they can reach tall buildings and high trees if someone is stuck.
All these groups work together so that when there is an accident or incident the best possible help is given.
There are many types of jobs that they are called out to. If someone is hurt in a car crash then the police will be called out to keep everyone safe while the ambulance crew check everyone is ok.
The fire brigade may also be called if any of the crashed vehicles need to be cut apart to get people out.
The police will also look at how the accident happened and what caused it.
When you ring 999 the emergency number for help you are asked which service you require fire, police or ambulance , they will then ask you what the problem is and decide who is best to send to help you.
You must only ring 999 if there is a fire, somebody is badly hurt or ill or there is an accident or trouble that needs the police to come and take control of.
Could you work in the emergency services?
Let’s see if you can send the right help to people.
Tina is very pregnant with her first baby and has been having contractions for a couple of hours but now she thinks the baby is coming quickly who should she call?
A poor cat has climbed too high in a tree and can’t get down who would come out to help him and what vehicle would they bring?
Two men were out in a dinghy and didn’t take any notice of the tides, now they are drifting out to sea who would we call to help them?
A house is on fire who will you send to help?
Do you think more than one emergency service is needed?
Do you know the difference between a fire engine and a fire truck?
A Fire ENGINE carries water and all the equipment to pump the water on a fire, this makes it very heavy.
A fire TRUCK carries the firemen and all their equipment like cutters, sledgehammers, saws and axes.
What other people can you think of that help us?
There are lots of different jobs where people help others everyday that we may not think about.
Teachers, Vets, refuse collectors, milkmen, lifeguards and caretakers all have important jobs.
How many did you think of?
