Newtown Hook & Ladder Fire Company #1 will host a free open house event this weekend. Members of the company will be at their station, 12 Church Hill Road, from 1 to 4 pm, Saturday, October 1.

The rain or shine event is about fire safety and emergency personnel who aid and protect our community. There will be games, giveaways, activities, demonstrations, and more.

Among the planned offerings is a Firefighter Training Course that will encourage all ages to go through the challenge as fast as possible, knocking down flames with a fire hose.

Also, Save the Firefighter — try out the Firefighter Rescue Station and drag a firefighter to safety after putting out a fire; Connecticut State Police K9s will demonstrate their ability to detect chemicals used in arson fires; Hurst Tools demonstration, including extrication skills; and an Egg-speriment — Build a device or container to place an egg in, then watch as it is dropped from the company’s Ladder Truck. The challenge will be to create a container that protects the egg from cracking when it reaches the ground.

There will also be a Fire Safety Skills Challenge; opportunities to practice the proper use of an extinguisher thanks to a self-lighting stove; training on Hands-only CPR — learn how to save lives through this technique.

Additional invited guests and vendors include Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance, Newtown Police Department, and The Exceptional Sidekick service dogs. For additional information visit the event's Facebook page.