The Matamata Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Matamata Police will feature on tvCentral’s children’s show MishMash next month as part of the shows career week, produced and presented by Bailey Clarke and Ken Knight.

Following filming, news broke of the fires devastating parts of Victoria, Australia; and Bailey says it was a timely reminder of just how precious our emergency services are.

“I gained a new found respect for those who dedicate their lives to helping others. As everyday they put their own lives on the line to aid the community in which they live and serve.

“I have always respected firefighters but when Ken and I dressed in their uniforms, I had no idea of the discomfort. A rather heavy 26kg’s are added to their body weight, once they are in full uniform, complete with breathing apparatus. As many firefighters are volunteers, I think they should be saluted for their bravery,”

Along with chief fire officer Brain Hunter, senior firefighter Michelle Hall will feature on the show, a firefighter whose passion for her job was evident during the interview, says MishMash co-presenter Ken Knight.

“When I think of firefighters, I forget the humanness of the job – these are real people with regular jobs, who as volunteers drop what they are doing to help complete strangers, which I think is pretty cool and just shows how much they love what they do.”

Police Day will feature on Mish Mash on Monday, March 2 at 7.30am, 9.30am and 4.00pm and repeated on Saturday at 7am. Firefighter Day will broadcast March 5, 7.30am, 9.30am and 4pm and repeated on Sunday at 9.30am.

Sidebar: MishMash, sponsored by J Swap Contractors Ltd, has undergone a major change in 2009. Long standing producer and presenter Chloe Anderson stood down at the end of 2008 and has been replaced with Bailey Clark. Co-presenting with Bailey is Ken Knight, who joined the Mish Mash team in 2008. Andrew Burns completes the crew with his new segment Kidz Biz Newz – helping parents and children keep up to date with events in and around the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

www.mishmashtv.co.nz