This report is probably biased as I am a member of the organising committe, but here goes.....

The 2009 show started with the team making camp - taking delivery of the safety fencing, toilets etc but also meeting up with friends some of whom we had not met since the show last year. As Saturday got closer the plan began to come together, the control tent was identified, the local radio station BBC Radio Derby, had interviewed, John our show manager and the noisy car had been out advertising.

We then got some wonderful but equally troubling news. The number of children expected at the hospital had grown from the usual 20 to approximately 50. We urgently met with the hospital to ensure we could get enough engines on to the grounds without compromising the hospitals emergency access roads. The second issue was that we needed to find a holding location for the engines away from the hospitals access roads but close to the route of the run. We found a suitable location but then needed to find additional marshals to ensure the plan worked. Many thanks to the crew for
The Sheffield Police and Fire Museum who willingly stepped in.

Saturday morning arrived and we were initially concerned that we would have enough engines to fit children into. Normally engines would arrive friday night but at this stage the numbers looked a little low. We should have known better. The show is unofficially known as 'the friendly show' and always well attended by FSPG members and other organisations and this year was to be no exception.

The convoy of fire engines formed and off we set for the children's wing. The Police escort was superb - we had asked all those who could carry children to join in the run and therefore we had a rather large parade. The Police closed roads and held back traffic - it was pleasure to be involved.

The fire engines were directed into the children's wing two at a time, picking up their passengers and then left the hospital to the staging area as the side of the supermarket where the team from the Sheffield Police and Fire museum plus the Policemen from the Derbyshire constabulary did a sterling join of marshalling the vehicles ready for quick get away once the last child had been collected.

To our relief we managed to collect every child with a couple of fire engines to spare (our friends from PVEC - the
Police Vehicle enthusiasts Club we standing by plus a couple of tanks if needed)

Events continued all day and the sun shone. Many of us supporting cherry red skin but the day was worth it. The car park was crammed people parking anywhere they could.

The fire engine pull was greatly enjoyed by the children and we had a very special (and much welcomed) visit by the professionals. two operational engines from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service presented a demonstration of processes and procedures re extracting an injured party from a vehicle. (this was so special the video could not be edited hence the 3 videos available on this web site) The organising committee sincerely wish to that the team and the divisional officer.

Away from the demonstrations the show had a beer tent, ample food and many stalls to visit, during the time the safety crew were resetting the arena the crowds visited the stalls or admired the preserved vehicles on display.

Looking back on the show it really was a very special event, and from my perspective, it was one the best ever. I recall the announcer stating that Derby Fire & Rescue show is referred to as the friendly show - well I think it lived up to this and long may it be a permanent fixture in the show calendar.

John H

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