News for Schools

Firefighting helicopter visits The Basin Primary School

Grade 1 & 2 students at The Basin Primary School have been studying 'Changes in My Community' this semester. As fire is such a big part of The Basin's history they chose to look at how fire fighting has changed over the past 100 years.

They were visited at school by a vintage Boronia Fire Brigade truck and by the Helitak 345 helicopter which landed on their football oval. The polish and shine of the vintage fire truck, fitted with brass nozzles, bell and red spoke wheels was an interesting contrast to the high-end technology of one of Victoria's elite fire fighting aircraft.

The entire school and visitors were seated safely on the grass near the Grade 1 & 2 classrooms when the distant sound of the helicopter could be heard in the distance. It flew overhead and landed in a blast of dust, flying leaves and noise on the football oval. All students were able to walk around the helicopter and speak with the pilot, Glenn Slade. However it was the Grade 1 & 2 students who had the exciting opportunity to sit in the helicopter, check out the cockpit and question Glen on how he fights fires. The CFA's "Little Lex" model helicopter (pictured) was a fun, an interactive way for the students to fly their own fire fighting helicopter.

The event will assist students to be well informed if they see or hear any fire fighting activity in the area this summer. Knowing about the ways in which the CFA, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria fight fires should help to improve the children's awareness of fire management in their local area.

December 2008