FREEPORT – This weekend, Freeport will probably be the most fire-resistant town in the state.

That’s because firefighters from all over Maine will be in town from Sept. 6-9 for the Maine State Federation of Firefighters’ 49th annual convention.

It’s the first time in 10 years that the federation has held its annual event in town – the last time was 2002. Freeport Fire Chief Darrel Fournier said he is excited for his department to be hosting once again.

“It’s a huge event,” Fournier said. “We put in for this (convention) five years ago. We’re expecting roughly 1,200 firefighters from across the state.”

“That’s a lot of people, that’s a big impact,” said Janet Dutson, the executive director of FreeportUSA, the local merchants’ association. “It’s great for lodging. It’s great for local shopping.”

Fournier said the Durham Fire Department will assist by providing provide coverage for Freeport during the Saturday night convention banquet, allowing more Freeport firefighters to attend the event. He said Durham would bring one engine to the Freeport station, leaving the rest of its equipment in Durham to cover the needs of that town.

The Maine State Federation of Firefighters’ provides training for firefighters as well as lobbying efforts. And its convention isn’t the only firefighter-related activity going on in town that weekend. In conjunction with the federation’s event, the Freeport Fire Department is also hosing the Firefighter Combat Challenge, which will draw in firefighters from all over the East Coast and as far away as California.

Fournier said the Combat Challenge is focused on firefighter fitness. During the challenge, firefighters have to climb up stairs in full gear, drag a 21?2 -inch wide hose up three flights of stairs and back down, drag a fully charged hose line and carry a dummy to simulate a rescue. The event, which is part of a series of regional competitions, is the only one scheduled for New England, and the winners will advance to the national championship, at a site to be determined, in October.

“It gives a good opportunity for people who want to come down and see what the physical aspects of firefighting are,” Fournier said.

While the convention’s meetings aren’t open to the general public, there will be plenty of events where the public can participate.

On Saturday, Sept. 8, a parade featuring antique firefighting equipment will stretch down Main Street. It starts at 9:30 a.m. and should run for about an hour to an hour and a half.

“It’s always a highlight,” Fournier said.

The public is also welcome to attend a memorial service for the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Fournier said, which will run from 2-3 p.m. on Sept. 8 at the Freeport 9/11 memorial right beside the public safety building.

On a lighter note, Sunday, Sept. 9, is the day of the firemen’s muster, another event the chief encourages the public to attend. Fournier described the muster as two teams of firefighters spraying each other with fire hoses. The team that gets the wettest above the waist wins the round.

“The muster is certainly a crowd pleaser,” Fournier said. “It’s fun, and it will be right here at the station.”

Fournier said hosting such a large event gives “a significant boost (to the town’s economy). A lot of these firefighter’s significant others will be going shopping (and they will also) be eating in all the local restaurants and (visiting other) local venues.”

Debora King, the executive director of the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce, agreed.

“ I think it’s a big deal (to have the convention in town),” said. “I think it’s a great boost for the community.”

King said all of the firefighters and their families will fill the local restaurants and stores, adding that the length of the event and the number of people attending would lead to a bigger financial windfall. “Because it’s an entire weekend, it has a bigger impact than a single-day event,” she said.

Dutson said the University of Maine’s Center for Tourism Research and Outreach has calculated a spending average of $76 per adult visitor to Maine. Dutson said since Freeport is known as a shopping destination, the average is likely higher.

She said that FreeportUSA is estimating that the total spending on lodging, travel, food and shopping is $600 per adult, so based on a weekend-long event with 1,200 people, Dutson said, the convention could mean an estimated economic impact of $500,000.

But the impact could go beyond money spent over that one weekend.

“It furthers the (Freeport) brand for us,” Dutson said, explaining that having that many people experience Freeport as part of a large event would lead them to return to explore it further on their own.

“I think it gives a chance to showcase Freeport,” Fournier agreed. “Freeport is a wonderful destination, and the reviews we had for the last convention said people really like to come here. So that’s why we want to do it again and were very fortunate to have it (return) here.”