Press Release - Firefighters climb high for conservation project

Monday 20 February 2007 - 15.55 hrs

Firefighters from Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) found a novel use for their ladders at the weekend when they played their part in a community conservation project in Knowle West.

On Saturday a crew from Bedminster put their head for heights and specialist equipment to work fitting more than 10 nesting boxes during the Bird Bonanza Day at Northern Slopes.

Around 40 members of the public attended the event, each building a bird box either to take home or to give to the firefighters who climbed their ladders in order to create a ‘des res’ for local bird life.

The day was organised by Bristol City Council’s Nature in the City Project, Forest of Avon’s Wood School Project and the Northern Slopes Initiative. It was also supported by the RSPB as well as Avon Fire & Rescue Service and funded by money from the Lottery and Neighbourhood Renewal.

Kevin Pearson, Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive of AF&RS said:

"Avon Fire & Rescue Service is always looking for new ways to put our skills and equipment to use to benefit the local community, so we were delighted to be able to help out when the Northern Slopes Initiative invited us along to the Bird Bonanza.

"I'm pleased that the day was such a great success and I know the firefighters from our Bedminster station were only too happy to lend a hand."