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Wednesday 7 December 2011

Open Day at Kent Fire Station, Canterbury.







On Sunday 4th December 2011 the Institute of Advanced Motorists was invited to participate in a Road Safety Campaign hosted by the Kent Fire Service in Canterbury.  In addition to Kent Fire and Rescue;  Kent Police, Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership, Crimestoppers and the British Red Cross all had exhibitions which entertained the public on a very chilly day.

Trevor Dickenson and Amanda Smith from the IAM and Alan Rowe and myself from the Mid Kent Group were there to promote the Skill for Life programme, Momentum for the younger drivers as well as the various Drive Checks.  Although most visitors were from Canterbury Alan and I did our best to promote the benefits of the Mid Kent Group ( Alan can be very persuasive)  and we had interest in the Skill for Life and a possible Observer.  Trevor and Amanda persuaded several Advanced Drivers from the ranks of the police and Fire Service to join the IAM on the concessionary basis as their driving skill has already been established.  One person may be interested in becoming an examiner if Trevor can twist his arm.

One lady was definitely our Highlight of the Day.  She came to our stand and said, 'That's it, Christmas presents, Advanced Driving courses for my daughters'  'If you sign up now you can have them at the special rate of £125 each', I said. ' How many daughters do you have?'  'Three she said'

That really made our day.  Unfortunately only one lives locally but we look forward to her joining us next year.

Our second Highlight of the Day was the Kent Fire and Rescue demonstration of cutting someone our of a wrecked car in four easy stages.

1. Break all the glass in a controlled way to avoid accidental injury later

2. Using a pair of giant pliers crush the door panels

3. Lever open the wing to expose the hinges

4.  Cut through the hinges and remove the door.

It makes one hell of a mess of the car but as the fireman said, you can replace  the car, we can't replace you.


from Phil Mason
Outside Events Coordinator

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