Summer Safety Day in Whangarei

Senior Fire fighter Jason Masters puts Daniel Russo through his paces - Northland Summer Safety Day 2015. PHOTO/TANIA WHYTE

Pandemonium will abound at Kensington Park next weekend but the fires, crashes, winching and sirens will not be cause for alarm.

The action-packed three hours will take place next Sunday for the fourth Summer Safety Day, which aims to showcase the emergency services and supporting partner agencies available to help Northlanders.

Present will be St John NZ, Northland Rescue Helicopter, Fire and Emergency NZ, NZ Police, Whangarei District Council, Northland DHB and Blue Light Whangarei, among others, giving live demonstrations, such as a helicopter winch display, a car crash rescue and fire combat challenges.

North Power public affairs manager Steve MacMillan says, although there was an estimated 3,000-plus in attendance last year, this year will be bigger and better still.

"So many people have come together and put in such a big effort based on a really fun event last year. We do this because we believe it is so important for our community to be aware of all the services out there to help them 24/7. People should never be afraid to ask for help or advice."

Fire crews from both Whangarei and Kamo brigades will, once again, be running their popular activities, such as the Kids Combat Challenge, the Kitchen Fire Demonstrator and the Escape the House blow-up maze. New this year will be the Escape My House virtual reality set-up, where participants feel like they are inside a burning house with the aid of VR goggles and must work out how to escape.

The Northland Rescue Helicopter will be carrying out a winch demonstration with the St John advanced paramedics and a helicopter will be on display outside the hangar for the public to view inside.

There will also be a car crash rescue demonstration using the jaws of life carried out by Fire and Emergency NZ, alongside St John and Red Cross; a search and rescue challenge; and a CPR manikin will be available for practising and assessing chest compressions. Active Attitude will, once again, be providing a gymnastics course.

Mr MacMillan says that, alongside these activities, police will be highlighting road safety and other campaigns.

"They will be demonstrating why not to drink and drive with use of the 'drunk goggles' so people can experience what impairment can do to you. There will also be general info on being safe in the community and that violence is not okay, to remember to ask for help.

"I suspect sirens will be part of it," he adds, referring to the popularity of the sirens from previous years.

Mr MacMillan says the event also helps recruit volunteers and encourages young people to consider emergency services career options.

"It's about having some fun and, if people can go away from it feeling more educated and share it with their friends and whanau, then it's a win."

The Summer Safety Day runs from 10am-1pm, Sunday November 12.