- Posted in Fire Blog
FIREFIGHTERS are taking part in a series of events across
Rochdale to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012
Olympics Games.
Crews from Rochdale, Heywood and Littleborough fire stations are
getting involved with a number of events this summer, starting with
water demonstrations at Hollingworth Lake.
Volunteers and Community Safety Advisors (CSAs) will also be at
various sports and leisure centres giving out fire safety advice
and offering free Home Safety Checks.
The events are part of Link4Life's The BIG Games to mark a year
of international events including the Olympics Games and the
Diamond Jubilee.
Link4Life, or the Rochdale Borough Cultural Trust, works on
behalf of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council to provide cultural
services and events, including arts and heritage, entertainment,
fitness and health, sports and leisure.
As part of The BIG Games programme, a water festival is taking
place at Hollingworth Lake on Sunday, June 3, when Greater
Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) crews from will perform
water rescue demonstrations at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.
Rochdale Borough Manager Tony Lander said: "We wanted to get
involved in this event to highlight the dangers of playing in and
around water courses and reservoirs and the time and resources
involved in reaching those in difficulty, particularly if the
reservoir is in a remote location.
"There are a number of dangers involved in getting into water
that isn't intended for swimmers - the water is often much colder
and a different depth than expected, anything can lie beneath the
surface and even strong swimmers can be taken by surprise by the
currents."
As well as GMFRS giving out serious safety advice, the day
offers a fun day out for all the family from 10am to 4pm, with free
and low-cost taster sessions at Hollingworth Lake Water Activity
Centre and sessions ranging from mountain biking to face-painting
and balloon art.
GMFRS staff will also be appearing at sessions on the following
dates:
Sunday, June 24
The BIG Games has been recognised through the Inspire programme
and has been awarded the Inspire mark for its work in helping to
promote sport, culture and volunteering.
For further information on The BIG Games and Link4Life, visit
http://www.link4life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=c.showPage&pageID=1807
For advice on water safety, please visit the GMFRS website
/fire_safety_advice/seasonal_safety/water_safety.aspx
