Fire engine rides, a putt-putt green and a drone flying overhead will greet families Saturday at the Philomath Fire and Rescue’s Station 201 on Main Street.
The annual Philomath Fire and Rescue and Strengthening Rural Families Open House and Health Fair runs from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the station. The free community event brings together local first responders, health providers and community organizations, along with activities aimed at kids.
The open house has been a fixture in Philomath for years.
“It’s a pretty traditional thing in the fire service because it’s Fire Prevention Week and that’s kind of how it all melds together,” said Rich Saalsaa, retired Philomath Fire and Rescue deputy fire chief who remains active with the organization in addition to his commitment as a Philomath city councilor.
Fire Prevention Week runs Oct. 4-10 this year, so Saturday’s open house falls on its final day. The National Fire Protection Association’s 2026 theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower,” which focuses on safely charging lithium-ion batteries. Saalsaa said the department will have a table at the open house with information on the topic.
The event’s health fair component dates to 2019.
“There used to be a separate health fair that Strengthening Rural Families did every year, and they found attendance was a little hard to get,” Saalsaa said. “So I actually approached them and said, “Hey, why don’t we just put these two together? It makes perfect sense.”
Benton County will have community outreach staff on hand, along with representatives from its Early Assessment and Support Alliance program. Saalsaa said Oregon State University’s pharmacy and dental team typically participate, offering small dental checks and blood pressure checks.
Fire engine rides remain the biggest draw, Saalsaa said. Other activities include a dress-the-firefighter station, face painting, kids’ games and the chance for children to squirt water from a fire hose. Smokey Bear, courtesy of the Oregon Department of Forestry, and Sparky the Fire Dog typically make appearances.
New this year, Lumina, a hospice organization, will bring a putting green and golf putters so kids can try putt-putt golf. Jackson Street Youth Services will also host an area with kid-oriented activities.
The department introduced its drone at last year’s event as more of a show-and-tell. This year, with good weather expected, crews plan to fly it.
“We’ll get the drone up and flying so people can actually see what that looks like,” Saalsaa said.
While the department doesn’t perform home safety services at the event itself, residents can sign up for them. Sign-up sheets will be available for defensible space surveys and smoke alarm installations. The department also does car seat installations by appointment.
The event also serves as a recruiting opportunity.
“Typically we get one or two per year,” Saalsaa said. “I know we’ve also gotten some regular volunteers out of it.”
The open house has even helped neighboring departments. When visitors from Kings Valley have expressed interest, for example, the department has pointed them to Hoskins-Kings Valley Rural Fire.
Crews remain in service during the event. Saalsaa said equipment is staged off to the side for a safe exit, with a water tender positioned up at the training ground and plenty of volunteers on hand if a large call comes in.
“Now, I shouldn’t be saying this, I don’t want to jinx it, but typically we don’t get any calls during the open house,” he said. “I can’t remember one time that we have.”
Food and drinks will be available for purchase from 3 Potato More, Mud Oven Pizza and the Dusty Aces drink cart.
Other participating organizations include Benton County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, Benton County Mounted Posse, Marys Peak Search and Rescue, Benton County CERT, the Corvallis-Benton County Library, Philomath Community Services, Willamette Valley Chaplains, 211info, Ride Line, the Oregon Health Authority, Mid-Valley Bike Club and Party Perfection.
