The Harrison Middle School Student Council met Mayor Jerry Jackson and took a tour of City Hall on Thursday, Nov. 16.
Avalee Petersen, 8th Grade Vice-President, said, "I loved being able to peek inside what our town was doing. It is amazing to see every part of the process and the different people who worked there. Meeting Mayor Jackson was a great honor. He was very friendly! I loved sitting in the city council chairs. It made me feel very important to see where decisions are made for our community. Our Police and Fire departments are so cool! I loved seeing how they work and live. I think that going into the government is a possibility for me."
Abraham Ireland, 8th Grade Representative, said, "I really enjoyed our trip today and was glad it could happen. I enjoyed meeting the mayor and seeing how the city operates. The things we saw were very interesting. I might consider working in an office since it would be a good career for me."
Lenora Domino, 8th Grade Secretary/Treasurer, said, "It was a lot of fun to hang out at city hall. I learned a lot about the government of Harrison and how the city works."
The students began their tour in the City Council Chambers, and the mayor pretended to be a citizen, asking for special favors. Silus White, the 8th grade president, was acting as Deputy Mayor and told the “citizen” he would have to check the budget before the special request could be considered.
CFO Luke Feighert and City Councilman Mitch Magness gave each other a high five. Mayor Jackson told Silus that was a perfect answer.
The students were given a tour of the police area by Police Chief Chris Graddy. Several students asked some interesting questions as he recalled situations from 40 years of experience in law enforcement.
Chief Marc Lowery shared information and gave a tour of the fire department. The students held some equipment firefighters must use to extricate someone from a vehicle. The tool weighs about 75 pounds, and the firefighters said it can get heavy when it has to be held at a high angle to rescue someone.
Lowery explained that firefighters participate in many other rescues than just fighting fires. Swift water rescues, climbing or hiking accidents, extracting trapped individuals in heavy machinery and equipment, and vehicle accidents are some activities they train to perform during an emergency.
The Student Council sponsor, Maribeth Odell, asked about career opportunities for fire and police. Lowery explained the fire department can accept 18-year-olds, and police have to wait until the individual is 21 years old.
Captain and Firefighter Dave Thompson told the students the job is all about math and science. “We use complex math every day to do this job.”
Lowery explained that you can’t rush into a fire in today’s world and dump a lot of water. Firefighters must determine what chemicals are involved in the fire to extinguish it safely.
Ella Davidson, 7th Grade President - "One thing I thought was cool is that we got to see where the firefighters live on a day-to-day basis as they are on duty."
The students also learned that more firefighters are now dying from cancer from working the 9/11 scene than those who died when the Towers collapsed. The group had their photo taken in front of the ladder truck where a local company designed artwork that pays tribute to 343 firefighters who gave their lives on 9/11.
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