The Ames Fire Department will host a Fire Station Open House on Saturday.

The open house Saturday will serve as the first iteration of the annual event in two years. The event was on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The open house is set to take place at Fire Station No. 1 at 1300 Burnett Ave.

“We’ll have our fire engines on display and equipment,” said Ames Fire Chief Rich Higgins. “We’ll have our squirt house up and running for kids too.”

Higgins told the Iowa State Daily the open house would feature a range of events to keep those of all ages engaged.

“We’ll even have information for adults as well about what type of smoke detector to have in your house,” Higgins said. “We’ll have a little dollhouse with our Inspection Division; they’ll be here showing you the hazards that are in your house, what you should be looking for and how you can mitigate those hazards and minimize that risk in your home.”

Higgins said there would also be a raffle for fire extinguishers and a few dual-sensor smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with a battery lifespan of 10 years.

“It’s an opportunity to come out, ask questions, see the equipment we have — there’s been some changes in some of the technology that we’re using and some of the equipment, so we just love having the public out and being able to showcase the equipment that we have and how we serve them,” Higgins said.

Higgins said the event also allows the fire department to gauge how much the public understands fire safety based on the type of questions they are asked.

With Fire Safety Week ending Saturday, the fire department will give select second graders rides to school in fire trucks. To have been selected for a ride, the student had to win a coloring contest.

The open house will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.