On Friday morning, 19 June, Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade in conjunction with the Ferntree Gully Eastern Regional Library, held their fourth ‘Fun Story Time’ at the Ferntree Gully Fire Station.

There were loads of activities for the children including stories to be told and songs to be sung. Art and craft was very popular as well. A number of the children dressed up like real firefighters for their turn to squirt a little water from the FTG tanker. This was safely carried out under the watchful eyes of our experienced firefighters, Byron Rutgers and Bill
Watson.

At each of these Fun Storytime days at the fire station, the number of children, parents and grandparents attending increases beyond expectations.
More than 140 children and 120 adults were present at the last event. Feedback to the Brigade has been extremely positive.

The sessions give the CFA an opportunity to mix with the community and spread the
‘fire safety message’ by presenting short but important messages to the mums, dads and grandparents present.
The events also assist the community to understand the important role the volunteer fire brigade plays in the community and makes the community feel comfortable being in what is in effect their fire station.

One mother left a message on the CFA website thanking the volunteer firefighters, the library staff and even Rusty Arnold the Bear, for holding the storytime and saying how much fun she and her daughter had.

The CFA says a huge ‘thank you’ to library staff Sue Wootten and Trudy and to the children and parents of the community for making this event so successful.

Graham Crichton
Community Safety and Engagement Officer,
Ferntree Gully CFA