JUNE 11, 2009 ISSUE
Seventh Annual Emergency Fest This Saturday
The Watauga County Firefighters Association will host the seventh annual Emergency Fest this Saturday, June 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Appalachian State University’s Raley parking lot off Rivers Street.
The “serious fun” event is free and open to the public and provides an opportunity for persons of all ages to learn more about safety in emergency situations while interacting with rescue personnel.
Fire trucks, ambulances and rescue helicopters on site will be open for public tours.
“Med Center Air out of Charlotte and WINGS Air Rescue out of Johnson City will be there; those are the helicopters we use [in the High Country],” said Matthew Crawford of the Boone Fire Department and the Watauga County Firefighters Association.
“Kids can meet the pilots, see the tools they have inside [and] meet the flight medics,” Crawford said.
Thirty to 40 booths and activities will be set up, and attendees can view all types of emergency equipment.
“I’m encouraging citizens to come because it’s a completely free event and [a chance to] see what resources we’ve got; what’s here and what’s available,” Crawford said, adding that more than 1,000 people attended last year’s Emergency Fest.
Area law enforcement, fire and EMS agencies will give demonstrations, including a drunk driving simulation by the highway patrol and a demonstration involving explosives by the Wilkes County Bomb Squad, he said.
The Boone Fire Department will provide hands-on training with fire extinguishers, Crawford said.
Emergency Fest will also feature the Watauga County Chapter of the Burned Children’s Foundation, SWAT Teams, Sparky, Smokey the Bear, hot dogs, balloons, door prizes, face painting and more.
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