Families enjoy free Saffron Walden emergency services event

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service, Uttlesford Community Policing and Saffron Walden Community First Responders (CFR) were among those at the event on Friday, August 30.

Children had the chance to climb aboard emergency vehicles, including Essex's new fire tractor,  as well as getting dressed up in police safety gear, practicing CPR and stroking rescue dogs.

Families at the emergency services day in Saffron Walden (Image: SWTC)

Other activities included face-painting, storytelling and colouring along with the Essex Mobile Library bus.

Tri-service rural community officer Andrea Adams said: "It was a great day, thank you for having us – we were delighted too that technical rescue and watch manager Graham Currie could join the day along with rescue dogs Jarvis, Bailey and Fizz."

Six-year-old female Sprocker spaniel Fizz, along with her handler Graham, had already worked until 2am that day following a field fire the previous evening, but both arrived to greet residents in the town centre at 10am.

Families at the emergency services day in Saffron Walden (Image: SWTC)

A Saffron Walden Town Council spokesperson said: "The fact that Graham and his dogs were still able to attend was very much appreciated."

Fizz is trained in fire investigation and can sniff out minute traces of accelerants at a fire scene, which in some cases can prove that the fire was arson.

Her work can also hopefully link a suspected arsonist to the incident and provide crucial evidence for crime scene investigators.

Children climbed aboard emergency vehicles at the event in Saffron Walden (Image: SWTC)

Fizz also assists neighbouring fire services in Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk when required, and can assist anywhere in the UK.

A community policing spokesperson said: "Officers from the community policing team were on hand to talk about local policing and crime prevention, offering advice and tips on staying safe, and recruitment information too."

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Mark Webb, Saffron Walden CFR coordinator, added: "Thank you for letting us showcase our work.

"We attend on average 30 calls per month in and around Saffron Walden and its villages, with calls ranging from difficulty in breathing to cardiac arrests and everything in between."

Anyone who would like to submit feedback about the event can email their comments to events@saffronwalden.gov.uk.