Were you one of the Ormsgill Infant School pupils who got a close up of firefighters in action?

In 1989, The Mail reported how the pupils at Ormsgill Infants’ School were treated to a series of demonstrations courtesy of Cumbria Fire Service.

The kids at the Barrow school were given a smashing display at Stan’s Dismantlers scrap yard with help from firefighters.

They saw old cars being crushed, and also watched firefighters demonstrate how hydraulic cutters were used on cars when they rescue passengers from crashes.

Gordon McKenzie of Candleworks Garage organised the event, after mentioning to headmaster James Abbot that he worked in a garage.

“I told him that there wasn’t much there to see,” said Mr McKenzie. “But next door we have a scrapyard and a crusher that might be interesting.”

The pupils were treated to a variety of demonstrations meant to simulate real life scenarios that still happen to this day.

Barrow Fire Station sub officer Derek Davies told the children that they were going to open a door to release a man trapped inside the car.

First out of the rescue vehicle was the Clan-Lucas hydraulic equipment, which drives spreaders, cutters, and when attached to a jack that could heavy objects.

Operating the equipment were firemen Bill Darlington, Paul Ripley, and new recruit just out of training, Mike Dobson.

“We greatly welcome opportunities such as this,’ said sub officer Davies, ‘because, apart from the public relations aspects, it is all good training for the lads’.The door was off in seconds and Mr Routledge played his part, being carried limped from the car and then placed on the grass.

Next was a demonstration of pneumatic equipment with a zip gun chiselling around the edge of the roof and opening it up like a can of sardines.

After a brief burst of sparks from the angel-grinder, the hydraulic scissors made short work of the roof posts.

Then, with a mighty hiss, the gear was shut down and the children ran forward to admire the new open top car and took pictures with the firefighters.