Promoting the fire safety message is child’s play

How do you get children interested in fire safety? Show them a red firetruck or better still, allow them behind the wheel of a miniature truck!

CFA Outer Metro Norwest Area (Region 14) recently took possession of a miniature version of a Pumper/Tanker, exquisitely detailed and finished, and complete with a siren and flashing lights.

Region 14 Community Education Coordinator Glenn Cockram (left) and Kangan Batman TAFE’s Brett MacDonald with the miniature CFA Pumper/Tanker.

CFA Region 14 Community Education Coordinator Glenn Cockram said it was the second fire truck commissioned by Region 14 and certain to be a popular attraction.

“We have a presence at a lot of community events and festivals and every time we take the firetruck with us, it brings in the kids,” Glenn said. “We expect this new truck to be just as popular.

Kids can get behind the steering wheel, switch the siren on and climb into the back and pretend to be a firefighter.

“To make it even more authentic, children can dress up in firefighting gear—little yellow overalls, black jacket and yellow CFA helmet,” Glenn said.

The truck was built by students at Kangan Batman TAFE’s Furniture Department, who took on the challenge as a group project. It is constructed predominantly of MDF board and is 1450mm wide and 1960mm long.

Teacher Brett MacDonald said the project generated enormous interest in the department.

“This was something we did outside the curriculum. We took it on because the students wanted to challenge themselves and were proud with the end result,” he said.