Wirral event shines blue light on emergency services' work

Representatives from Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, HM Coastguard and St Johns Ambulance gave live talks and demonstrations during the two-day event at the Emergency Services Centre in Seacombe.

Members of the Blind, Deaf and Special Educational Needs (SEN) community also attended, giving students the chance to engage directly with emergency workers around topics such as crime prevention, fire awareness, first aid and open water safety.

Members of emergency services during Wirral event highlighting their work (Image: Merseyside Police) The event was organised by Constable Laura Currie, who said: "It has been great to see all the students engaging with their local emergency workers, asking them questions and participating in demonstrations.

"It has given them a greater understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each emergency service as well as helping to break down barriers and encouraging them to have the confidence to contact the services in the future if they need to." 

Susan Potter, community safety co-ordinator for Merseyside Fire and Rescue said: "Merseyside Fire and Rescue were delighted to support the Emergency Services Day alongside other blue light colleagues.

Young students engage with police horses during Wirral event raising awareness of the emergency services' work (Image: Merseyside Police) "Working with the most vulnerable in our communities has always been a key factor for us, so it’s been fantastic to be able to engage with young persons from the SEN community and to raise awareness around home fire safety and road safety."

Michael Buratti, area commander for HM Coastguard, said: "This was an excellent multi-agency educational event which provided a fantastic opportunity to engage with young people with special educational needs and disabilities and raise awareness of how to stay safe when visiting the coast."

Dressing up as firefighters during Wirral event raising awareness of the emergency services' work (Image: Merseyside Police)

Amy Randles, project development officer, Uniformed Youth Fund, St John Ambulance Team, said: “The St John Ambulance team has enjoyed working with the emergency services at today's event. It has been great to collaborate with them to put on such an engaging event focussed on accessibility and inclusion.

“It's been fantastic to meet the young people who have attended and teach them vital skills that they may need in the future.”

Crystal Hutchings-Hill, who attended the day from Bidston Village CofE Primary School, said: “Everyone has really enjoyed the event today. It is a great opportunity for us to get to know the different Emergency Services and what they do to help us.

"We're really pleased that PC Laura Currie invited us. We love it when she visits us in school."