SANDPOINT — Selkirk Fire, Rescue and EMS will host its annual open house Saturday with free fire prevention items, games and more.

Battalion Captain Michael Gow said the purpose of the event, in part, is community involvement — so the public can meet the firefighters and the firefighters can meet the public.

“But, also it is the fact that it is Fire Prevention Week, so we are trying to provide information to the public and help educate them and get them the supplies that they need to be safe at home,” he said.

Gow said the firefighters will give out free smoke detectors and fun items for the kids, such as coloring books and bookmarks. There will also be kids games like the “quick draw” competition where the kids will spray a hose at a cone and see how fast they can knock it down.

“We’ll have an area that is going to be completely smoked out so they can crawl through and find different areas and we will have what is called a thermal imaging camera that allows you to see heat signatures,” Gow said. “That’s what we use to find people and find our way through heavy smoke, so it will kind of give people an idea of how we use some of our equipment and what we do inside of fires.”

The fake smoke used is produced by a smoke machine and is safe, he said. Junior firefighter gear will be available for the kids to try out as well.

They will also have a barbeque with hotdogs and drinks, and Fire Chief Ron Stocking said he will personally be cooking up the hotdogs.

The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Fire Station 1, located at 1123 Lake St. Everyone is encouraged to stop by and meet the firefighters who serve the community. With the joint power agreement between Sandpoint, Westside and Sagle fire districts, fire personnel from all three will participate in the open house.

The department gives out free smoke detectors throughout the year and residents can call 208-263-3533 for assistance with installation.

“(Smoke detectors) save more lives than really anything else, other than having a sprinkler system in your home,” Gow said. “We recommend you have smoke detectors in all of your bedrooms and in the hallways.”

He also said to change the batteries each time the clocks change in order to be sure they work properly.