19 May 2020

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is calling on Kent residents at home to tune into the first-ever online fire station open day on Thursday 28 May.

Aimed at families of all ages, the virtual event has been organized in place of a number of the service’s annual ‘Family Open Days’, which were canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

online open day

The online open day will take place from 11 am on Thursday 28 May on the Kent Fire and Rescue Service Facebook page, starting with Sittingbourne fire station. The videos will be posted throughout the day until 2 pm, each one with a different theme.

Those who attended the annual open days previously will have enjoyed hearing from KFRS staff, watching firefighter displays, the Byrnes show, and taking part in the new activity trail. The good news is, all of this will still play a part in the first-ever online open day, meaning everyone can still experience what a real open day offers but without even having to leave the house.

interactive experiences

Once completed, families will be able to enter a competition to win a tour of their local fire station

Providing families with similar interactive experiences as the normal open days, but from the comfort of their own homes, those who tune in will learn important safety tips by watching the online firefighter videos and demonstrations.

The service’s education team, 999 control operators, and the Byrnes family mascot, Woody, will also make an appearance through several fun, learn-at-home videos.

There will even be an online activity trail, with fun videos and questions, that everyone can fill out at home. Once completed, families will be able to enter a competition to win a tour of their local fire station.

vital fire safety advice

Ann Millington, Chief Executive of KFRS, said “We know a lot is going on in the world right now, but learning vital fire safety advice is still incredibly important especially with more people at home during this time cooking, using electricals, and having barbecues.

Ann Millington adds, “We’re excited to launch the first-ever online fire station open day so that families can watch along and learn at home. We do hope you’ll save the date and tune in on the day to enjoy the educational videos, shows, and interactive activity trail, as created by our firefighters and support staff - it’s going to be great fun for the whole family!