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The 15th Annual Emergency Fest Returns to the High Country with Serious Fun and Education on Emergency Situations this Saturday

On Saturday, June 10, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. the Watauga County Firefighters Association will be hosting the 15th Annual Emergency Fest in the Peacock Lot (formerly known as the Raley Lot) of Appalachian State University.

The Emergency Fest is being held to raise awareness and knowledge of safety and emergency services throughout the High Country. During the Emergency Fest, there will be multiple demonstrations, including bomb disposals and vehicle extrications. Along with this, there will be plenty of live fire safety as well.

“We really want people, especially kids, to be able to come out and learn about everything that we do in emergency situations,” Amy Flieg, Captain of the Boone Fire Department, said. “We want kids to interact with us, so that they can learn that we are here to help them.”

According to Flieg, it’s incredibly important to get kids used to seeing and interacting with policemen, firefighters and medics in a fun way, so that when a situation arises where these professionals are needed, children won’t be afraid of them and will be more likely to remain cooperative and calm. 

“This way children have met us before, people dressed like us,” Flieg said, “and they know what we do and that we are only here to help.”

While the main goal of the fest is to educate and inform residents of the High Country on what to do and what can be done during emergency situations, there will also be plenty of fun-filled activities as well. There will be bounce houses, a bike rodeo, a scavenger hunt, helicopters, train rides, aerial drones and prize giveaways for people of all ages!

“There are going to be a bunch of emergency vehicles, like police cars and fire trucks and ambulances,” Flieg said. “It’s also going to have some drones and helicopters, and the Wilkes County Bomb Squad will be there.”

While the event is geared more towards children and educating them on emergency procedures, responders and everything involved with handling and approaching emergency situations, Flieg said that the event is definitely open to everyone in the High Country, regardless of age. 

“We want this event to help kids come out and learn what it is that all of us do,” Flieg said. “It’s also to help adults realize what we do too.”

 

The schedule of events for the 2017 Emergency Fest is as follows:

10:00 a.m. — Event Opens

10:30 a.m. — Color Guard Presentation of the Colors and the National Anthem

10:45 p.m. — Bomb Disposal Demonstration

11:00 a.m. — Vehicle Extrication Demonstration

12:00 p.m. — Drone Demonstration

1:00 p.m. — Bomb Disposal Demonstration

2:00 p.m. — Event Closes

 

The 2017 Emergency Fest is sponsored by Watauga County Firefighters, area Emergency Services Organizations and New River Tire.