County says it has worked tirelessly to ensure safety

MILL SPRING — Tryon International Equestrian Center has a draft Emergency Operations Plan for the upcoming World Equestrian Games, to be prepared in case of a crisis during the event. 

TIEC Emergency Planner Mike Cook recently presented the draft plan to Polk County commissioners.

The plan includes emergency contacts, emergency mapping and Federation Equestre Internationale serious incident management, as well as responses to specific hazards, including:

• Evacuation and relocation

• Fire

• Hazardous materials

• Severe weather

• Lost/found persons

• Bomb threats/suspicious packages

• Criminal activity/active shooter

• Accident/injury/illness

• Equine emergency response

• Elevator entrapment

Cook said local, state and federal officials have been meeting monthly. Stakeholders did a tabletop exercise on May 18, Cook said.

There are also break-out groups for law enforcement, emergency management, public health and transportation and parking.

Local agencies involved in the planning have included Polk County government agencies as well as contiguous counties. State agencies include emergency management, the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina Department of Insurance, as well as others.

Federal agencies involved include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security, the National Weather Service and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Polk County Manager Marche Pittman said on Friday that the county has been working tirelessly to prepare for WEG.

“Our challenge is to lessen the negative impacts of the event to the surrounding property owners and citizens,” Pittman said. “We are working hard to keep our existing population protected and safe during these games.”

The games are scheduled for Sept. 11-23 at TIEC, located off Pea Ridge Road in Mill Spring. The FEI World Equestrian Games is held every four years, and is one of the largest events on the global sporting calendar, with eight world championship- caliber equestrian events.

TIEC’s emergency operation plan also outlines parking for WEG.

Cook said parking for staff and volunteers will be on the back of property at White Oak House and a section of property under improvement. Staff and volunteers will use Coxe, Sandy Plains and John Shehan/Moore roads to access the parking areas.

“After arrival, they will be shuttled to security clearance to enter the venue,” Cook said.

Athletes and their support, media and VIPs will have designated parking on-site, Cook said.

Spectator parking will be at the Steeplechase track off Highway 9, which is estimated to hold 4,000 vehicles. The track will be the first security screening to prevent spectators from coming to the main arena with prohibited items and bags, Cook said.

There will be 55-passenger buses to transport spectators to and from the equestrian center, which will travel along Highway 9, U.S. 74 and Pea Ridge Road.

Cook said once on-site, everyone will go through metal detection prior to entry, including staff, volunteers, athletes, teams and media.

Other parking sites are currently being reviewed, Cook said.