Children design fire engines of the future

A drawing by 12-year-old Harriet showing a futuristic fire engine with a red and yellow body. Around the drawing is information about the design, explaining it will have a solar-powered siren and it will be made of titanium. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue

Harriet, winner in the 12 years and over category, produced a design made from "cheap, lightweight" titanium

Katy Prickett
BBC News, Cambridgeshire

Solar panels and a "plane to reach house roofs" are among the suggestions put forward by children asked to design the fire engines of the future.

More than 60 young people took part in a competition to mark the 50th anniversary of Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue.

Graham Wiggins, head of fleet and equipment services, said: "It was inspiring to see many of the entries include consideration for the environment."

The winners met their local firefighters and were allowed to try out some of the fire service equipment.

A primary school aged boy Noah standing in a kichen with short mid-brown hair, wearing a fleece and smiling at the camera. He is holding two Lego models, one showing a futuristic fire engine design, the other showing flames.Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue

Noah from Ely won in the eight to 11-year-old category with his Lego design - his prize included more Lego

The judging panel included fire service personnel and representatives from Scania, which supplies the fire engines currently in use.

Those taking part were asked to consider how technology might advance over the next 50 years.

Harriet from Ely, winner in the 12 years and over category, incorporated a solar-powered siren in her design and made it smaller "to get down narrow roads".

A drawing by Huxley aged five showing a futuristic fire engine, with a red body. Around the drawing is writing pointing to the removable water guns, the lights, sirens and music.Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue

The seven and under category was won by Huxley, from Wisbech, whose design included a hook-on sleep cabin for firefighters

Assistant director Hayley Douglas, the service’s head of communication and engagement, said: “We were amazed by the incredible creativity and thoughtfulness of all the submissions.

"These young designers have provided us with a glimpse into the future of fire engines, so thank you to everyone that entered.”

Three firefighters in blue short-sleeved shirts and trousers, standing with Harriet, who has long, fair hair and is wearing a blue T-shirt and holding her hand-drawn design. All four are standing in front of a bright red and white striped fire engine. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue

Harriet, pictured with firefighters, was among the winners invited to visit their local fire stations

The winners were:

  • Age 12 and over winner: Harriet from Ely

  • Age 8-11 winner: Noah from Ely; runners-up: Ralp from Cambridge, and Luca from Huntingdon

  • Age 7 and under winner: Huxley from Wisbech; runners-up: Florence and Joshua

A firefighter in a blue T-shirt, with red braces and blue trousers tucked into boots. He is standing beside Luca, a primary-school-aged boy, who is holding up his hand-drawn fire engine design. Both are standing in front of a bright red fire engine and smiling.Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue

Luca was runner-up in the eight to 11-year-old category, with a design including a small plane to reach the top of roofs

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