Can you name dedicated crew?

WITH planning underway to build a brand new fire station for Southport, what better time to puzzle over what this crew were up to back in February 1996 – almost a dozen years ago.
Looks of trepidation are clear on the face of the firefighter to the left of the ladder – what do his colleagues have in store for him? And who were the jokers with their hands up at the back?
If you know any answers, leave them below.