Retained firefighter Josh Chisholm knows that it can happen: it did for him.

Two decades ago Moree firefighters turned up at his playgroup, the first step in sparking a love of the job.

Now he's the one wearing a uniform, in Tamworth.

"The firies came round to our playgroup when I was about four years old. Then I joined the job about 20 years later," he said.

"It's been a long time in between!"

Deputy Captain Marlon Dalton said the Saturday open day would help people find the road to becoming a firefighter, but would also teach civilians the value of safety and preventative firefighting.

"Our main goal is that we'd love to be able to prevent all fires or hazmat incidents. Any kind of civic disaster, if we can educate people then we can cut down and possibly eradiate those altogether, that'd be our end goal," he said.

"This is just part of our pathway into doing that."

The day will feature demonstrations with their hazmat van, their weather station, gas detectors, and show locals how they would mop up a hazmat incident.

Attendees may also get an opportunity to have a go on the station appliances, including target practice with a fire hose.

And some veteran firefighters will show off a vintage fire engine on the day.

The services is always on the lookout for people with some physicals fitness, smarts and availability during business hours, Mr Dalton said.

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Retained firefighter Sonja Mariner said the best part of being a firefighter was being able to help people.

"Even if they don't sign up now, always have it in the back of their mind. Because I probably thought it was something I could never do and I joined, and like I said, I love it. It's something you get something so much enjoyment out of," she said."

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