Little squirt makes big squirt

Firefighter Stefan Thorburn helps Angus Hale (3), of Dunedin, to squirt water from a fire hose during the Mosgiel Fire Station Open Day on Saturday.

Mosgiel station officer Alistair Newall said the event’s aim was to promote fire safety and the work of the brigade. But it was also aimed at attracting new volunteer firefighters.

"We’re getting a bit short on the ground. We need a few more members."

He said the Mosgiel Volunteer Fire Brigade had about 20 members and it needed another seven or eight to give the brigade some more flexibility and "a bit more depth — get some more younger people in".

Large crowds were able to get up close to the new fire command unit from Dunedin, aerial fire and ladder trucks, an appliance from Rural Fire, an appliance from Dunedin Airport, and some historic fire engines from the Dunedin Fire Brigade Restoration Society.