Firefighters promise day of fun and drama

Youngsters will be able to dress up in authentic but child-sized uniforms and pose for their parents' cameras as firefighters.

The a "hose reel squirt" will also give visitors a chance to sample fire-fighting techniques in a specially-created gallery.

The public will be able to try their hand at abseiling down the fire station drill tower - a popular feature of the last two open days.

A full programme of drills and demonstrations is planned from 10am until 4pm. Firefighters will be demonstrating and explaining the latest equipment and techniques.

The event in and of the national fire service benevolent fund will include stalls and a barbecue.

Firefighters will demonstrate how road crash victims can be cut from wrecked vehicles with the aid of the latest cutting gear.

A fire will be staged in the station drill tower to demonstrate how firefighters approach an emergency in a high-rise building.

It is planned to show how easily a chip pan fire can start and how easy it is to counter the fire using the correct technique - and how easily it is to make matters worse by using the wrong approach.

Firefighter Simon Richard, who is organising the free admission event together with his crew commander, Martin Walker, says colleagues at Newhaven will be bringing along the simulator they have created.

The crew rigged a camcorder in the middle of the rear seating area of an appliance responding from Newhaven to a fire in Brighton.

"They filmed the entire blue-light run into Brighton. To give a sensation of speed, the simulator even has a fan!

"it was a genuine 'shout' (fire service parlance for an emergency call-out). They put the camera in the middle in the back. You can see the driver and the officer-in-charge."

The open day will also include face-painting, a barbecue, stalls and crafts.