KEY POINTS:
North Harbour Stadium was transformed into a disaster zone on Saturday giving thousands of curious spectators a chance to witness everything from colourful parachute drops to kitchen fires, car accidents and bomb scares.
More than 15 volunteer and emergency service organisations from throughout the Auckland region showcased their
skills at multi-agency open day - the first of what is hoped to become an annual fundraising event.
Along with educational displays, the different services showed the public what they do on a daily basis and how they work in times of an emergency.
The police dog display - where pretend criminals were wrestled to the ground - was a popular attraction as was the bomb squad robot and Armed Offender's Squad members who were clad in their full AOS tactical gear.
While the open day's array of robots, helicopters, guns and numerous vehicles with flashing lights left many impressed, it also had an important educational theme.
The Fire Service demonstrated how quickly a working sprinkler system can suppress a fire and how to evacuate a smoke filled room while a kitchen fire taught people how to successfully stop a grease fire.
"If we can educate the community with regards to fire safety we can have less damage to property and people," said Fire Safety Officer Gary Beer.
The open day also took to the skies thanks to the help of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and a Skyworks AS 350 B3 single engine helicopter, which later demonstrated its lifting and fire support capability by dumping a monsoon bucket on the field.
Members of the RNZAF parachuted onto the oval while the search and rescue team co-ordinated in a high angle rescue drop presentation off the side of the stadium.
Fire Service Auckland Regional Operational Planning Officer Terry Hewitt said the day, which started at 9am and ran till 4pm, was a great success with an estimated 5000 people making their way through the exhibits.
Mr Hewitt said it was also a good recruiting tool with a number of people making enquiries on how to become involved in the emergency services.
To cap the day off North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams was hoisted high above the oval by a fire truck where he addressed the crowd.
"On behalf of the city I would like to thank you all for the fantastic work that you do; you should be very proud of your work. It is a job of service and as a community we don't thank you enough for the time and effort you put in,' he said.
While donations are still being counted, the open day is believed to have raised thousands of dollars which will go to the Burn Support Group Charitable Trust, a voluntary organisation based at Middlemore Hospital which helps with the rehabilitation of burn victims.
