Luton’s annual fire station open day is getting a new look on Saturday 20 June 2026, as Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) moves from lots of smaller station events across the county to just two bigger ones this year. The practical bonus for Luton residents is a free Portable Appliance Testing clinic where you can bring in everyday household items like hairdryers, kettles, toasters, phone chargers and extension leads to be checked over for electrical faults that could spark a fire.
Group Commander Anthony Doherty explained the thinking behind a shake-up that the service says is about balancing time, money and safety. “We know how much our communities value visiting their local fire station and meeting their firefighters, and these events remain incredibly important to us,” he said. “By moving to two larger-scale open days, we can continue to provide safe, engaging and well-resourced events while making the best use of our operational crews and resources.” The other consolidated open day lands at Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Kempston Fire Station on Sunday 2 August 2026.
Getting enough crews together while keeping fire engines available for 999 calls has been a growing headache with the old scattergun diary of individual station events. The new format means there are still plenty of ways for stations to stay connected to neighbourhoods all year round. Charity car washes at fire stations, recruitment sessions and specially tailored engagement for people with SEND will continue as normal, giving residents other chances to meet crews and pick up fire safety advice.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
