FIREFIGHTERS in Hillingdon will show off their skills as they host a special open day for London Fire Brigade’s 150th anniversary celebrations next week.

Hillingdon Fire Station will be open to the public from 12pm-4pm on Wednesday, August 10, to will give children the chance to learn more about the role of a firefighter.

Visitors to the free event will have the chance to look at the range of fire appliances used by the Brigade – both old and new – and meet white watch crew members who serve the community.

Firefighters will put on their personal protective equipment (PPE) to demonstrate some of the heavy duty tools and equipment they use to carry out their day to day jobs and talk about the type of incidents they are called to.

Budding young firefighters will have the chance to put on a firefighters uniform and sit in the front of a fire engine before they help crew members spray water from one of the appliance’s hoses.

Sherlock, the Brigade’s fire investigation dog, will be brought along to meet visitors before the fire station’s new garden is officially opened by the mayor of Hillingdon.

A new pilot scheme – Trauma Teddies – will also be launched in the Hillingdon borough at the open day.

The initiative will see all fire engines in the borough carrying teddy bears which will be given out to children involved in traumatic incidents such as road traffic collisions and house fires.

In the spirit of an anniversary celebration, a bouncy castle, petting zoo, ice cream van and various other food stalls will all be set up in the station’s yard for all to enjoy.

Playmobil are helping them to organise 65 special open days across London to celebrate the Brigade’s 150th anniversary.

The anniversary open days will be a perfect day out for anyone who’s ever fancied playing firefighter for a day, taking place across London from April through to December.

Children big and small can meet real firefighters and life-sized PLAYMOBIL ones, plus enjoy toys and activities galore.

Limited-edition London Fire Brigade versions of popular PLAYMOBIL Fire Brigade sets have also been created for little ones to learn through play at home.

Ten per cent of proceeds will be donated to the Brigade’s charities of choice, with toys available from April to purchase at the open days and from Playmobil customer services.