Photos: Event offers public an up-close look at North Liberty’s ‘Remarkable Rigs’

This is the fourth year the city has hosted the family-friendly event, which gives city employees an opportunity to talk with people of all ages and explain the work they do

Elizabeth Wood

May. 10, 2025 4:44 pm

Maeven Mceleney (4), Edward Mceleney (3), Muriel Mceleney (1) and their mom, Calista Mceleney, talks to North Liberty Firefighter Ben Sommers during the Remarkable Rigs event in North Liberty on Saturday. Sommers said he enjoys interacting with the community and explaining the different parts of the fire department to kids. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

North Liberty Firefighter Emma Hall uses the Jaws of Life to lift a demo car’s roof up during a demonstration at the Remarkable Rigs event in North Liberty on Saturday. North Liberty Community Relations Director Nick Bergus said this is the fourth year they have held the event, which gives the public — especially young children — an up-close look at the equipment used by city employees. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Noah Davis (center) peers at the pH reader with his siblings, Hayden Davis (left) and Makayla Davis, during a North Liberty Wastewater Plant demonstration at the Remarkable Rigs event in North Liberty on Saturday. North Liberty wastewater Plant employee Matt Hertzfeldt said the demonstration shows the pH levels for a cup of water from the waste plant and for cups of soda. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Zavier Zapata, 6, glances at a North Liberty firefighter after hopping into the front seat of a firetruck during the Remarkable Rigs event in North Liberty on Saturday. Davis said his favorite vehicle at the event was the firetruck. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

North Liberty Firefighter Emma Hall uses the Jaws of Life to pry open a demo car door during the Remarkable Rigs event in North Liberty on Saturday. North Liberty Community Relations Director Nick Bergus said his favorite part about the event is seeing how much pride everyone takes in their job. “I love that our team take pride in the work that they’re doing, right? And they don’t have the opportunity to show off very often,” Bergus said. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Denice Dochterman helps Maverick Dochterman, 1, and Beckett Dochterman, 3, onto a lawn mower during the Remarkable Rigs event in North Liberty on Saturday. The event was hosted by North Liberty’s Fire and Police Departments. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Aaron Bauer glances at his mom, Shuo Bauer, as North Liberty Fire Department firefighter Jayden Eisenstein shows them tools in North Liberty Fire Department’s rescue boat during the Remarkable Rigs event in North Liberty on Saturday. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

North Liberty Firefighter Emma Hall waves to the crowd from the top of an aerial ladder during the Remarkable Rigs event in North Liberty on Saturday. Hall said her favorite part about the Remarkable Rigs event was interacting with community members. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Kids in the audience place their hands over their ears as North Liberty firefighters used the Jaws of Life to tear a door off a demo car during the Remarkable Rigs event in North Liberty on Saturday. North Liberty Community Relations Director Nick Bergus said the city started the event to highlight all of the people who help make the city run. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

North Liberty Firefighter Bri Roose peers inside the demo car after knocking out the glass from windows during the Remarkable Rigs event in North Liberty on Saturday. The demonstration showed community members what tools firefighters use in a car accident to get people out safely. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)