Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 3, 1990 TAG: 9005020293
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM ZEOLI SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
But on Student Government Day last Wednesday, Fairchild and other high school students helped Radford firefighters put out a blaze at a condemned house on 17th Street.
"It was a lot of fun, but it was tiring. I was able to see the day-to-day routine of a fireman and see how hard it really is. The best part was riding on the fire truck," said Fairchild.
Student Government Day has become a tradition in Radford. On this 35th Student Government Day, senior government students spent time with city employees, observing what they do in a typical day.
Each student was assigned a specific job by the student City Council after he or she had submitted three choices. The student council tried to match students with the jobs requested.
Fairchild believes student government day can be an important learning experience. "It gives students a chance to see first hand how the city government and government as a whole works," said Fairchild.
At the fire station, students were dressed in boots, helmets and fire coats. Fire Chief Calvin Whitt radioed the student firefighters when the fire started at the condemned building chosen by council. Volunteer firefighters set the blaze with kerosene and controlled it until the students arrived on the fire engine.
The students, under the supervision of actual firefighters, immediately started helping put the fire out. Dave McGhinnis, a volunteer fireman, said the exercise is done each year so students can get a feel for what it's like to fight fires.
After extinguishing the fire, students got a tour of the fire station and a lesson on the training needed to become a certified firefighter. Then they were taken up a new ladder truck, said senior Mandy Sweet.
"You could see all of Radford from the platform," said Sweet. She said the ladder truck was purchased to reach the upper stories of tall buildings such as Muse Hall.
Other activities included a student City Council meeting, tours of the police station and jail and patrol of Radford with police officers.
Police Maj. Gerald Williams said several students toured the police facilities as well as the firing range.
"Some students even went on patrol and were allowed to hand out parking tickets," said Williams.
J.D. Harman, clerk of Circuit Court, said everything goes well until the students tour the jail.
"This experience sobers them up. They get to see what happens to people who break the law and it opens their eyes."
The student City Council - members April Collins, Joe Fowler, Carrie Herzog, Noah Spaulding and mayor Neil Wohlford - discussed parking on Tyler Avenue and voted to change the restrictive hours. Council said the hours should be consistent throughout the city.
A discussion about building a fire station in East Radford brought some discussion. Council thought the fire station could be beneficial but voted to have a study conducted.
Council members also voted to remove a mound of dirt that blocks drivers' vision at Hammett Street and Tyler Avenue. Council postponed any decision on the Norwood Street public sign policy and solid waste recycling.
In other action, council asked that a letter be drafted to the Recreation Department suggesting it make a formal proposal to construct basketball courts at Bisset Park.
Council also asked the city manager to study how much money the city should give to support the outdoor drama, The Long Way Home.
The Student Government Day was sponsored by the Radford Kiwanis Club.
by CNB