Firefighters made a special visit to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead on Tuesday to bring a touch of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Open Day to children who are unable to attend a fire station on Saturday 18 May.
Children at the hospital had the chance to see fire trucks and firefighting and rescue equipment up close and chat to firefighters about the critical work they do to keep communities safe.
The visit was also an opportunity for firefighters to meet children and their families at the hospital’s Burns Unit, who have been injured or impacted by fire, heat or other incidents.
FRNSW Commissioner, Paul Baxter said the Burns Unit – which is affectionately known as FRNSW Station No. 2 – was a place very close to the hearts of all firefighters.
“Children are especially vulnerable to fire injuries and burns due to their natural curiosity and lack of knowledge about fire safety,” said Commissioner Baxter.
“We work hard to reduce the incidence of those injuries and our firefighters readily give up their time to support the Burns Unit, because they see the children at the scene of fires and want to ensure they get the best possible care.”
The Burns Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead admits approximately 200-220 children with burns injuries each year, ranging from birth to 16 years old.
Firefighters from 400in4 Charity Ride, who cycled from Huskisson to Mt Kosciusko over four days in April, presented a cheque of the money raised to the Burns Unit during today’s visit.
“We are so grateful to Fire and Rescue NSW for their generous support over the years, and for their commitment to helping ensure we can continue providing the best treatment and rehabilitation to our patients,” Kerry Bolwell, Acting Nurse Unit Manager of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead’s Burns Unit said.
FRNSW will also open the doors to hundreds of fire stations across NSW on Saturday 18 May from 10am to 2pm for its annual Open Day, inviting people to learn more about Australia’s largest urban fire and rescue service.
