Beaverton-area residents can learn hands-only CPR, climb aboard fire engines, and meet the crews who respond to their 911 calls at a free open house Saturday, Aug. 8, at Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Station 17 in North Plains.

The open house runs 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 31370 NW Commercial St., timed to overlap with the 28th annual Elephant Garlic Festival nearby.

Station 17 sits in the northwest corner of TVF&R's service area and covers North Plains and surrounding communities. According to TVF&R's announcement, the event gives families a chance to check out two pieces of working apparatus: a standard engine and a brush rig, which carries water to areas without hydrants or with limited road access. A 1959 antique TVF&R engine will also be on display.

Representatives from the American Red Cross Cascade Region will teach hands-only CPR at no cost. Kids can take on the Junior Firefighter Challenge, though TVF&R has not detailed what the challenge involves.

The brush rig may draw extra interest this summer. As we reported July 29, Oregon's wildfire season has matched its 2024 record pace, and TVF&R deployed firefighters to the East Evans Creek Fire near Medford in mid-July as part of a Washington County strike team.

Brush rigs like the one on display provide the same capability crews rely on during wildfire deployments.

In its July 30 announcement, TVF&R said Station 17 has a long history of partnering with North Plains community events, including the Annual Egg Hunt and the Garlic Festival.

No registration is required. The Elephant Garlic Festival runs Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 9, with free admission all three days at Jessie Mays Community Hall and Park, 30975 NW Hillcrest St.

Residents with questions can contact TVF&R's public information office at [email protected] or (503) 649-8577.