Two members of our Unit were given the opportunity to support the Firewise campaign which aims to teach kids about fire safety in the home. FP Bruce Key and FP Ingrid Vlieg had the privilege of kitting up as Flint and Amber on one of their first public appearances at Queensgate, Lower Hutt on Sunday February 8 from 1000 to 1500. Ingrid and Bruce started the day by meeting DCFO Bernie Rush at Hutt City station who arranged Level Two PPE, and introduced them to their alter-egos who were smiling at them from their crate in the Engine Bay.

Thankful that there was going to be air-conditioning they donned red capes, gloves, yellow toe-caps and completed their transformations with the head-dress which concealed them so effectively that vision became a challenge.

The performance started on arrival at Woolworths, Queensgate. Flint and Amber, smiling and waving, joined Fire Service crew, in promoting the Firewise message by giving out yellow bracelets mostly to children, but also to "bigger kids" with text speak messages such as "bak grll boil fry, stay n watch, avod brnt kai", while the Fire Crews gave out stickers and brochures and talked to the public about about installing smoke alarms, and escape plans in the home.

Flint and Amber shook hands, posed for photos with members of the public of all ages and also in the meat section to remind people not to "drink and fry". Due to the heat it was soon necessary to remove the Level Twos in favour of the coveralls as pictured. Flint and Amber also appeared at Countdown, Lower Hutt on the following Thursday evening.

Photos by Bruce Key. Article by Ingrid Vlieg.