The 16 to 18-year-olds paid a visit to Bolton Central Fire Station where three of the group of 20 played the part of casualties in a three-car-pile up and were cut free by firefighters from Blue Watch.

Community Safety Advisor Flora Hardman said: "The sixth formers are part of an at risk group because they are at the age where they may be learning to drive.  So we invited them down to the station to help educate them on road safety issues.

"I delivered a presentation to them in the station's community room, telling them about the importance of wearing a seatbelt and the dangers of drink and drug driving.  We got the children wearing special goggles that gave the impression of being drunk to show them just how your awareness is affected by alcohol.

"It was then followed up by a road accident demonstration in the station yard when the watch got involved and I think it really hit home with them."

Firefighters demonstrated how they would cut casualties out of a car following a road accident, explaining that seatbelts save lives and that everyone over the age of 14 could face a £60 fine for not wearing one.

Watch Manager Kirk Cornwall said: "I think we made a real impression on the young people, because we carried out the exercise as though it was real so they really saw how frightening being involved in a car accident could be.

"I know they said their friends would like to come too and the watch really enjoyed helping out and being involved in community work like this too.

"The college is just next door to the station and the teenagers are the perfect age to be getting road safety messages across to them so it worked out really well."

Teacher Sarah Ball said: "The students loved it, but the firefighters hit them hard and gave them a really thought-provoking lesson.

"I have been approached by other students several times asking when they can have the same lesson at the fire station."

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has drafted a Road Safety Strategy which is out for public consultation until the end of June.

The strategy looks at how GMFRS will educate and engage with drivers and pedestrians about road safety, in particular targeting 17 to 25-years-olds across Greater Manchester.

It also considers how GMFRS will support schemes to educate drivers found guilty of driving offences and work with partners to improve the engineering design of roads and vehicles to reduce risks to road users.

For the latest information on the Road Safety Strategy and the public consultation, visit / or follow us on Twitter @manchesterfire or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/manchesterfire.

Nikita Marsh and Ashley Jevons turned up at Farnworth Fire Station at 9pm on Monday, May 14, with six-week-old Misty locked inside the safe.

The safe was securely locked with Misty inside but luckily the safe wasn't airtight as the kitten could be heard meowing through the key hole.

Using a special metal saw, the firefighters delicately cut the sides of the safe to weaken the hinges.

Then, using a hydraulic spreader normally used for cutting people out of cars in road traffic collisions, they slowly opened the welded seams of the steel casing to free the kitten.

Nikita, aged 18, said: "Ashley had opened the safe to take out the batteries for the TV remote or something and the door was open. The kitten climbed in and I was keeping my eye on her but then Ashley's brother Nathan came along and closed the door, not realising that Misty was inside.

"We were really panicking and didn't know what to do."

Ashley, aged 22, and Nathan, aged 20, used crowbars and screwdrivers to try and open the safe but nothing was working.

Panic-stricken Nikita rushed round to a nearby relative's house with the safe and they drove to the fire station for help.

It took crews about 30 minutes to free Misty, who was carefully handled through the small opening and handed back to her relived owners.

Watch Manager Darren Banks said: "It was one of those battery operated safes and someone had accidentally shut the doors. It was securely locked and they'd realised that they didn't have right things to get it out."

Nikita said: "I took it to the station because I knew they had the equipment for cutting metal. But it was so noisy and I couldn't watch them do it because I was scared for Misty.

"I can't thank the firefighters enough for what they did. Misty was a bit shocked afterwards but we're just relieved that she's safe."

Alongside the open day, the station marked its half century - bringing together current and former staff, colleagues and the community.

Firefighters and staff made it a really welcoming event and, as well as giving visitors an insight into the station's current work and history, made it a wonderful celebration for the achievements of everyone who has contributed something during the last half century.

Altrincham Fire Station was opened on May 7, 1962, by Alderman Sir Wesley Emberton, Chairman of Cheshire County Council.

The open day and celebrations took place exactly 50 years later on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7.

Station Manager Kev Brogden said: "It was really good and far busier than we'd imagined it would be.

"Lots of families came for the open day and the turnout of retired members was fantastic."

One special guest was Sid McMullen a firefighter who started his shift at the old Altrincham Fire Station on May 7, 1962, but had to finish his duties at the new fire station after getting called out to a fire at the exact time the changeover took place.

"We got the call to a fire at 11am and the new station went operational at 12noon," said Sid. "So we had to go back to the new station.

"The open day was marvellous - so many colleagues I used to work with were there - and it was very nice to meet the current serving crews."

Borough Manager Andy Dugdale gave a short presentation to the former staff and firefighters to look over its history and High Sheriff George Almond, a former Altrincham station manager, and Trafford Mayor, Councillor Jane Baugh cut the anniversary cake.

The open day also had plenty for the rest of the community to enjoy and give them an insight into the wider work of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

Crew Manager Mike Dewar and fire investigation dog Echo were there meeting the crowds with Mike explaining to numerous people what their role is, firefighters demonstrated how they deal with a road traffic collision and community safety advisors from the Prevention team helped children take part in a firefighter experience.

The group went to the fire station at the end of last month and got to know the firefighters in the community room before going out onto the yard and getting hands-on.

Both the fathers and sons got a better understanding of what their local firefighters do while picking up some important safety advice from the crews.

The Rosehill Primary School's Dads' Club was set up for fathers with sons at the Ashton primary school to spend more time together doing positive activies.

Francois Ladam, Family Cohesion Coordinator at Rosehill Methodist Primary School, said: "Rosehill Primary Dads' Club had a wonderful time with the fire fighters of Stalybridge Fire Station.

"Kevin Eckersley organised the event in a great way and this has been the best attendance we had in term of the number of dads turning up to the monthly club. Kevin and his team were great with the kids. All of them had a brilliant time."

They got to see the equipment up close and find out how everything works at the station.

And the children got to see their dads trying out all the equipment, which Francois thought would have a huge impact on the youngsters.

He added: "Those activities were just spot on with the aim of our school's dads club and helped us do exactly what we want to achieve."

Borough Manager Jon Heydon said: "Activities like this put us right where we want to be - at the heart of our communities - so we were delighted to have the Rosehill dads and lads visit us at Stalybridge.

"The station is a brilliant environment that echoes exactly what the school is trying to achieve with this group: there is a real team atmosphere and Kevin and his crews made them a part of that.

"Of course, it also really matters to us that we work with children and their parents so we can help be safer in their own home and in their community."

Ten-year-old Brandon who suffers from a rare form of liver cancer spent the day with Blue Watch riding in a fire engine and squirting water while learning all about hoses and fighting fires.

Watch Manager Dave Scully said: "When I found out about Brandon's story it really upset me. 

"I logged onto his website and was quite upset reading all about what he has been through so I sent it round to all the lads on the watch and we all wanted to help.

"We were discussing what we could do and Firefighter Joe Steven suggested we make him an honorary member of the watch and a firefighter for the day."

Brandon was admitted to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool in September 2011 suffering from Hepatoblastoma, a rare form of cancer affecting only one person in every 1.5 million. 

A huge tumor in his liver had already spread to his lungs and is spreading further meaning Brandon is currently undergoing more chemotherapy.

On Sunday, May 6, 2012, Brandon was joined by his brother Dylan and mum Leesa, as they paid a visit to Wigan Fire Station.

Leesa said: "It was an absolutely brilliant day - but it was touch and go as to whether it could happen. 

"Brandon was admitted to hospital the day before with a temperature, so we weren't sure until 9.20am on the Sunday morning when the doctor said we could go out for six hours - so off we went.

"Blue Watch were great, really welcoming Brandon to the station. 

"He really enjoyed the whole day being dressed as a fireman and he even got to go on a special blue light run in a fire engine because they'd sorted it out - we all really enjoyed it and I can't thank Blue Watch enough."

Watch Manager Scully added: "We wanted to make it as authentic as possible so we showed Brandon the hydraulic platform and how we can get up high to fight fires.

"We got special permission from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service's (GMFRS) driving school and one of the trainers came in on their day off so we could take Brandon on a blue light run.

"He was sat up front next to the driver and mum and Dylan were in the back and they all seemed to enjoy it, it was really special to see a smile on his face all day."

To find out more about Brandon's story have a look at his website. 

Crews from Oldham, Chadderton and Hyde were called to Meek Street in the Higginshaw area at 2.43pm on Saturday, May 12, 2012.

Station Manager Ian Tracy said: "The warehouse was packed tightly with carpets, vinyl and foam, so when we arrived crews were faced with a very intense fire that was burning well.

"We had a large amount of plastic inside that was well alight and because of the way the metal roof of the building collapsed in on itself we had difficult job getting water onto the fire."

An aerial appliance allowed crews to get jets of water onto the fire which was giving off a huge cloud of acrid black smoke.

Station Manager Tracey added: "People would have been able to see the smoke cloud from some way away and working with colleagues from Greater Manchester Police, we got the message out to people in a neighbouring housing estate to shut windows and doors and to stay inside."

Crews from Oldham, Broughton and Gorton remain at the scene today (Monday, May 14, 2012) fighting the fire. 

Station Manager Tracey said: "Because of the difficulties crews faced over the weekend, including a burst water main, it is only since yesterday that our firefighters have been working with a demolition crew to expose the fire and get water onto it.

"The plastic meant there were lots of pockets of fire and although we had the blaze supressed and under control over the weekend it could be a day or so yet that we will remain at the scene to check that the fire is out completely."

An investigation into the cause of the blaze is underway, although it is believed to have been started deliberately.

A steady stream of people cast their vote at the station on Thursday, May 4, 2012.

Station Manager Andy Ross said: "Many of the people voting had never seen the inside of a fire station before.  Here at Offerton, we are slowly becoming a focal point for the community with initiatives like this and by inviting local groups and partners to use our community room.

"I'm delighted that we can allow members of the public an opportunity to access their local fire station and I hope this will encourage them to come to our open day on Saturday, August 11, 2012 when the station will be celebrating being open for 40 years.

"But before that, on Sunday, June 3, here in Stockport we will be inviting the community along to Whitehill Fire Station for our car boot sale, the second year we have done so.  There'll be children's rides, the chance to experience being a firefighter and look round a fire engine.

"It places Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service right at the heart of the community and gives us the chance to get safety messages to the people we protect and serve."

They were joined by Bolton West MP Julie Hilling at Bolton Central Fire Station on Friday, May 11, 2012, as 16 firefighters were taught British Heart Foundation (BHF) Heart Start.

Station Manager Steve Parkinson said: "Cardiac problems affect a lot of families in Bolton so as a community fire station we see it as our responsibility to help make everyone more aware of heart health and emergency life support procedures.

"Working with our partners at NWAS the accredited Heart Start course will mean we can teach life support to youth groups and school children of all ages."

Today the first 16 firefighters were given the training - over the next few weeks more will be trained, meaning Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) will have 45 accredited Heart Start teachers among their firefighters in Bolton, Farnworth and Horwich.

Firefighter John Duff said: "I think it's great we'll be accredited trainers and able to teach children how to save lives.  I mean, you only have to look at what happened recently with Fabrice Muamba to see that heart issues can affect anyone."

NWAS Community Resuscitation Manager David McNally said: "None of us knows who will suffer a cardiac arrest, have difficulty with breathing or sustain heavy bleeding - what we do know is that when such a life threatening condition occurs it is the simple things that save lives including the type of assistance available and the speed of response.

"Heart Start is a fantastic initiative for teaching lifesaving skills and it is important that members of the community can deliver emergency lifesaving treatment when it is needed so I'm thrilled that GMFRS and firefighters across Bolton will be able to pass this training on."

White Watch at Withington Fire Station spent Thursday, May 10, working on their skills and testing the equipment they use to bring people safely out of cars.

The crew also demonstrated how firefighters use the equipment they are provided with for training to test a number of techniques - before finally cutting the car up.

Watch Manager John Moore said: "We don't waste the opportunity to work on a real car and try out a number of different rescue techniques and different bits of kit on it before cutting it up.

"There is a lot we can do without cutting the car up. So, we've practised removing the seats, detaching the boot and getting a casualty out safely on a spine board - its important to be able to do that where possible as the noise of the cutting gear can be very distressing to anyone trapped in a car after a collision.

"Today we're testing our Tifor, which is a winch that allows us to separate two cars when they have crushed together or pull a car back from something its collided with, like a tree."

The Tifor can pull up to two and a half tons and lift up to one and a half tons.

White Watch split the training between the practical sessions and some class room training, which was led by Watch Manager Moore who is a dedicated road traffic collision trainer for GMFRS.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has drafted a Road Safety Strategy which is due to go out for public consultation in the coming weeks.

The strategy looks at how GMFRS will educate and engage with drivers and pedestrians about road safety, in particular targeting 17 to 25-years-olds across Greater Manchester.

It also considers how GMFRS will support schemes to educate drivers found guilty of driving offences and work with partners to improve the engineering design of roads and vehicles to reduce risks to road users.

For the latest information on the Road Safety Strategy and the public consultation, visit www.manchesterfire.gov.uk or follow us on Twitter @manchesterfire or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/manchesterfire.

Presentation evenings have taken place in seven areas of Greater Manchester, with 68 young people successfully completing the 12-week programme, the most since 2005.

GMFRS' Prince's Trust Delivery Partner Yvonne Neary said: "For all of our young people the Prince's Trust presentation evening is a very big occasion and an amazing experience for them, the culmination of their 12 weeks of hard work.

"All of the presentations were really well attended by friends, family, partners and GMFRS staff which made the occasion all the more special for all of the young people completing the course."

The Presentation evenings were attended by family and friends of the young people, who gave a short talk on what they had gained from their involvement with the course.

In total, 68 young people completed the Prince's Trust programmes and on Tuesday, April 17, seven young people from the GMFRS' Wythenshawe Prince's Trust team attended the Lifestyle Centre for their presentation evening.

The following evening, 13 young people from GMFRS' Manchester East team had their presentation evening at the City of Manchester Stadium, while on Thursday, April 19, nine young people from the Salford Princes' Trust team attended Manchester United's Old Trafford ground to be presented with their awards.

The Prince's Trust programme is run three times a year by GMFRS in seven areas of Greater Manchester three times a year and is aimed at 16 to 25-year-olds.

It consists of careers advice, work placements, a week of team building activities and a series of community based projects.

Edgeley Park in Stockport saw 12 young people from GMFRS' Stockport Prince's Trust team give speeches during their presentation evening on Tuesday, April 24, while the next night, Old Trafford hosted GMFRS' Trafford Prince's Trust team.

But before that, in the afternoon of Wednesday, April 25, the first Prince's Trust team presentation within Tameside took place at Hyde Town Hall.

On Thursday, April 26, nine members of GMFRS' Bolton Prince's Trust team attended Bolton Town Hall to receive their awards.

Yvonne said: "This year we had our first ever presentation for our Hyde Prince's Trust team where it was fantastic to see 12 young people complete the course and then enjoy their presentation.

"For all of the young people taking part in all of our Prince's Trust programmes, they really get so much out of it.  Time and again during the young people's speeches, they talk of how the 12 weeks with us provides them with motivation and drive that they might not necessarily have had before.

"One young man was really nervous before he spoke, but went on to say how before he had completed the Prince's Trust programme with GMFRS he had been in trouble with police but how he now realised he wasn't a nice person back then and had plans to volunteer with us."

The next twelve week Prince's Trust team programmes start on Monday, May 21, 2012.

Taking part in a 12-week course led by firefighters at Wigan Fire Station, the young people learnt safety skills including how to tackle a fire and safety on the water.

Wigan Station Manager Geoff Thornley said: "We want these young people to look to us as role models and it is part of our duty at GMFRS to set a good example.

"If we can educate them on fire safety, they can then go home and educate their parents and friends in their peer group. 

"We're happy to support The Duke of Edinburgh's Award as a nationally recognised qualification and by running the course at our station it's all part of Wigan Fire Station being at the heart of the community it serves."

The course was run in conjunction with Wigan Council, who once a week use the community room at Wigan Fire Station as a drop in centre to recruit people onto The Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is designed to help 14 to 25 year-olds learn new skills or gain recognition for activities they are already involved in while engaging them in adventurous, practical and cultural activity at bronze, silver and gold level.

Refat Mahmood, Wigan Council Duke of Edinburgh co-ordinator, said: "This is the first time we have run this fire safety course as part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and it has been a great success.

"We have scores more young people waiting to get on the next one and it can count as the volunteering section of the award.

"We are very grateful for the support of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service as they have been brilliant with the young people."

Firefighter Barry Taberner co-ordinated GMFRS' course which involved all watches at Wigan Fire Station between February and April 2012 and culminated in the young people being presented with fire ambassador certificates on Tuesday, May 1, 2012.

Four fire engines from Leigh, Atherton, Farnworth and Hindley were called to Sandringham Drive in Higher Fold at 2.01pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012.

Watch Manager Jim Bridge said: "We were called to what was described as a bin fire near to a house so we set off on blue lights, but when we got there we could see a row of terraces and a roof on fire.

"A fire that had been started deliberately in a bin at the back of the house had set fire to a number of bins and had flared up the side of the house setting fire to the windows and the roof and was spreading into the roof space of the two adjoining houses.

"The fire was pretty serious, luckily the house was un-occupied but there were people in the houses either side so we evacuated them.  Crews in breathing apparatus went into all three houses and put the fire out with a jet and hose reel, limiting the spread of the blaze.

"Although there was relatively little damage to the two homes, this could have been very serious so we will be carrying out a reassurance campaign in the area today. (Friday, May 4, 2012)

Up to 10 Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) volunteers and 15 firefighters from Leigh and Wigan will be knocking on doors in the area around Sandringham Drive offering advice and reassurance to residents.

Area Manager Dave Keelan, Head of Prevention at GMFRS said: "Thankfully no one was injured in this blaze, and things could have been so much worse, so today we'll be reassuring the community.

"Bin safety is so important, today crews will be handing out a leaflet containing advice about keeping bins well away from homes. 

"By keeping them at least one metre away from windows and walls, should a bin fire occur, the fire shouldn't spread, but it is important to make sure any escape routes aren't blocked."

Wigan Borough Manager Steve Sheridan said: "It's clear for everyone in the area to see just what a serious fire this was - but thankfully, on this occasion, no one was hurt.

"People don't often think about the effects of a fire, so today we're going to strike while the iron is hot and reassure people and I will be working with partners from Wigan Council too so that they can help us get that message across."

Green Watch at Bolton Central Fire Station hosted a group of 15 Health and Social Care students from Bolton Sixth Form College on Monday, April 30, to raise awareness of road safety.

The girls watched a dramatic presentation about issues such as drink and drugs, mobile phones, speed, joyriding, sentencing, and the dangers of getting into uninsured vehicles, particularly accepting a lift home from a nightclub or party. 

Patricia Flynn, GMFRS' Children and Young People Co-ordinator for Bolton, said: "We work to raise awareness of the fact that road crashes are sudden, violent and can affect families by ending lives too soon.

"We explained to the youngsters that road accidents can cause life-changing injuries and that many of those affected are young. 

"Many of these accidents are preventable as they usually involve driving too fast, overtaking dangerously, driving while using a mobile, driving after drinking alcohol or taking drugs, feeling tired, or failing to wear a seatbelt.

"We talked about driving the morning after a night out, driving or crossing the road while listening to music or texting, child seating and the responsibility of belting up. We also talked about cars that are taken without the owner's consent, deliberate fires, attacks on firefighters and hoax calls."

Crews demonstrated how they cut someone out of a car and discussed issues such as speed, stopping distances and collisions, before answering questions about 4x4s, quad bikes, seat belts and crash protection.

Helen Lynch, from Bolton Sixth Form College, said: "The presentation was hard-hitting but very sensitively delivered and I could see that the messages really hit home. I overheard a student saying that although she wore a seatbelt all the time, she didn't realise the danger of others not wearing one in the same car.

"The girls enjoyed meeting green watch who were all very friendly and welcoming. They carried out the car-cutting very professionally and it was quite sobering to watch and imagine.

"It was a really worthwhile experience which made us all reconsider our attitudes to driving or being a passenger and it was also interesting to hear about all the activities firefighters get involved with besides fighting fires."

Firefighter Stephen Thornton said: "We're a Community Fire Station at Irlam and I'm a governor at Fiddlers Lane Primary and I knew that they ran a lads and dads club so I thought it'd be good to have them down on the station to talk about fire safety.

"I came in on my day off and Crew Manager Nigel Williams and the Red Watch boys showed them around the fire engine and did some water squirting while telling them all about keeping safe."

Fiddlers Lane Primary School has been running the 'Men's Club' since September, encouraging male carers, including dads, granddads, uncles and brothers to bond with their children.  Eight of them paid a visit to the station on Friday, April 20, 2012.

Teaching Assistant Jordanna Wrench said: "We'd done things like cooking before but the dads were keen to try something a bit more hands-on to do, so we spent the afternoon at the Fire Station after they invited us down to their community room.

"It was fantastic and I can't thank the firefighters enough.  All of the dads and their children had a wonderful time looking at the fire engine and seeing the hose in action as well as dressing our librarian, Mr Duffus in a fireman's outfit.

"We didn't want to leave and the dads said they will be back for the open day in the summer holidays with their families."

The White Watch crew member from Gorton was on his way to work at Altrincham Fire Station when he came across a collision as he headed up Stockport Road, Levenshulme, at 9am on Tuesday, May 1.

Joe noticed no one from the emergency services was at the scene yet so pulled in and went over to help.

He said: "I was in heavy traffic so didn't see it until I was driving past but saw that there was no one there to help so my brain started ticking.

"I pulled in as soon as I could and spoke to a woman at the scene and checked that someone had called 999, which I was told they had.

"I made a quick assessment about how many casualties were involved, secured the car by putting the handbrake on and started talking to the girls stuck in the car while assessing their injuries.

"I was feeling uneasy about how many minutes had passed without anyone else arriving at the scene."

Joe dialled 999 himself and discovered he was in fact the first person to call.

Thanks to his firefighter training, he was able to pass comprehensive details on to the ambulance service about the women's conditions so they would know what they were responding to.

The 27-year-old driver had suffered possible spinal and hip injuries and the 21-year-old passenger had suffered possible spinal injuries - from talking to the women and looking at the impact, he was most concerned about the passenger.

Joe got into the car and stabilised the passenger just as he would with the rest of the crew working together at the scene of the incident.

"The crew from Whitehill Fire Station got a bit of a shock when they arrived and saw me there," added Joe. "It had been a daunting situation for me until they arrived and seemed like the longest few minutes of my life - I'm used to turning up to something like that with a team.

"Normally, you get there with a crew so you face it together and you're wearing full protective gear but I had no one around and I was just in my regular uniform.

"I felt the pressure but I just made the best I could of a bad situation."

As well as a crew from Whitehill, a crew from Joe's regular station of Gorton went out to the scene.

They were on the scene for more than an hour cutting the women carefully from the car.

Station Manager Chris Mycock said: "It was protracted because the injured women were stable so the crews made as much space as possible for the ambulance service without disturbing their injuries any more than absolutely necessary."

Alongside the open day, the station will be marking the anniversary with current and former staff and colleagues.

Firefighters and staff at the station want as many colleagues and friends as possible, who have helped make the station's work a success, join them for a celebration.

The station's 50th anniversary will be celebrated on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7.

Events run from 11am to 4pm and there will be stalls, quizzes, information stands, the chance to experience what its like to be a firefighter and much more.

Firefighters from the station will be showing the community how they rescue people from road traffic collisions and demonstrating other aspects of their work.

Station Manager Kevin Brogden said: "The day will be a fantastic celebration of this station and its firefighters and staff serving Altrincham for the last 50 years and its important for us to throw the doors open to the community as they have been a vital part in our success.

"Everyone that has been involved in this station in some way in the last 50 years is welcome to join us for our celebration.

"It is thanks to all these people that this station has become a part of that community and we have been able to contribute something really worthwhile to those living close to us."

The open day takes place on Monday, May 7, between 11am and 4pm at Altrincham Fire Station, Manchester Road, Broadheath, Atrincham, WA14 4RQ.

Telephone 0161 608 5103 or call in to the station for further information
 

Area Manager Sean Booth, one of the exercise's organisers, said: "It was a success in terms of testing our ability to mobilise that many crews and maintain fire cover across the county.

"It raised some learning points around dealing with an incident in a high-rise building and we're now discussing that.

"Thanks go to all the people who volunteered to support it and gave up their own time to ensure the exercise really tested us, the crews who took part and, in particular, we must thank Jeff Smith, who is a former employee and current site manager at UMIST, as its because of him we had such a brilliant location."

The exercise took place in a disused building on the UMIST site off Sackville Street, near to the Mancunian Way, in Manchester.

Exercise Swan began at 9.40am with a report coming in that fires had started on a number of floors and people were still inside.

Firefighters tackled the blaze, rescued six people including four adults and two children and even had to contend with a firefighter collapsing from a suspected heart attack - all while members of the public and media did their best to be a nuisance to officers at the scene!

Simulated smoke was used inside the building to make conditions as challenging as possible for the firefighters going into the building. 

At its peak, more than 100 firefighters were on the scene dealing with the staged incident.

Firefighters at Marple Fire Station were recently asked to assist in providing a venue for a community youth outreach project.

The project, being run from All Saints Church in Marple, was called Get Out and Love Marple and the idea was for the young people to put something back into the community.

They decided to offer free car washing to the entire community for the day and - the best bit for the firefighters - they scrubbed out the fire engine bay and cleaned the engine itself.

Crew Manager Matthew Gosling said: "They were given a tour of the station and the equipment on the appliance, and helped with the scrub out of the appliance bay and the cleaning of the fire engine all of which was welcomed by the crew on duty!"

The event was organised by Laura Saidler, Children and Young People Coordinator for Stockport and Tameside, with the help of the Marple station wholetime and retained crews.

A total of 20 young people attended during the day earlier in April.

A group of final year students got to hear about the subject from Firefighter Mark Eaves from the station's Blue Watch and learn about the many considerations crews have to make to do their job safely.

It was the second year running that students working on a project visited the station to get a real-life perspective on the subject.

Mark said: "They are doing a project on health and safety and we did the same thing last year for them.

"On paper it can be quite a dry subject - so we hope to help their learning and understanding by bringing it to life for them by showing them how it affects the interesting and unusual things we get to do in our role as a fire and rescue service.

"It was a splendid morning and they were really keen."

The students came from Year 11 at West Hill School, Stalybridge, with their teacher Paul Evans.

They spent an hour in the classroom and the rest of the morning touring the station, looking at hazards and safety issues around the equipment and engine house and got the chance to look around the engines.

CREWS from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) are carrying out a large-scale training exercise in Manchester City Centre today.

The exercise is taking place at the University of Manchester in Sackville Street.

There are currently six fire engines on the scene of the exercise.

If you see any smoke coming from the building, please do not panic as this is just a training exercise.

Exercise Swan 11.02am Sunday, April 29, 2012-04-29

THERE are currently 15 fire engines carrying out a training exercise at the old UMIST site in Manchester.

Please don't be alarmed if you see anything in that area.

Exercise Swan 12.14am Sunday, April 29, 2012-04-29

ONE hundred firefighters are now dealing with the exercise in Manchester City Centre.

There are currently four jets and ten breathing apparatus being used by crews at the disused University of Manchester building in Altrincham Street.

If you see fire engines, smoke and firefighters in this area, please do not panic as it is a training exercise only.