Firefighters donate children’s playhouse

Hamilton firefighters had an unusual duty recently – they hand-delivered a miniature fire station  to a community centre.

The New Zealand Fire Service donated the playhouse to the Western Community Centre to raise awareness about home fire safety.

The Western Community Centre manager Neil Tolan said the play house was a great addition to the centre.

“It even comes with its own smoke alarm. We know that children are at great risk if a fire breaks out in their home so this will be a very valuable resource in assisting us to educate our children around those important home fire safety messages.”

The house is one of eight playhouses built by early childhood education provider Footsteps Foundation who last year built a playhouse village.

The philosophy behind the project is that it takes a village to raise a child.

Footsteps Foundation regional manager Karen Cave said a lot of people talked about community but fewer who actually work within their own.

“We are really proud to stand next to the Fire Service working within the community and for the playhouse to come to a community centre is absolutely great.”

Footsteps Foundation invited several organisations including the New Zealand Fire Service, to transform eight purpose-built houses to represent the extended community or village that surrounds a child and impacts their lives such as a home, school, hospital, police station, and a fire station.

The playhouses have since been distributed throughout the country.

Hamilton senior firefighter, Jess Kukutai said the project had left her with a warm feeling.

“We have been working on this for about five months, for a place to deliver the playhouse too. It fits at the community centre, its perfect, it feels good and they are going to utilise it.”