10 Years Ago: Fire Camp brings reality training to youngsters

50 Years Ago From the Herald and

Democrat in 1967

In an announcement from the Siloam Springs Board of Education and Superintendent Glenn Black, Albert Diehm had been hired as head coach of the Siloam Springs football team for the 1967-68 school term.

Diehm had been serving in the capacity of senior high basketball coach and assistant football coach. He graduated from the local high school and John Brown University. He attended Northeastern State College in Tahlequah and Connors Jr. college at Warner, where he played basketball. He was an all-sports varsity performer during high school here.

30 Years Ago From the Herald-Democrat in 1987

The Arkansas Museum Services division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism awarded grants totaling $73,429 to 15 non-profit centers, including that of Siloam Springs, Jo Luck Wilson, Executive Director of Parks and Tourism, announced.

Through the program Siloam Springs Museum received a grant for $2,500 to help pay for general operating expenses.

The grants, for both special project support and general operating support, was matched dollar-for-dollar with non-state money.

Other grant recipients in Northwest Arkansas included the Shiloh Museum at Springdale ($7,000 for cataloging, conservation and archival storage of their historic photograph collections).

10 Years Ago From the Herald-Leader in 2007

Ten youngsters became firefighters for a week during Fire Camp at Fire Station 1 on Cheri Whitlock Drive.

The young firefighters used the skills that they learned throughout the week to compete in an obstacle course the last day of the camp.

The youths were split into two teams, the Dragon Slayers and the Alpha Dogs. Capt. Brad Burns and firefighter/medic Tyrell Shelley of Siloam Springs Fire Department taught the camp.

“What you learn at Fire Camp you need to take to the house,” Burns said. “We’re really saving people.”

In the timed competition, the campers rolled up fire hose, carried a stretcher, placed bandages on a pretend patient and sprayed a fire hose.

“This is real. This is why it’s called Fire Camp,” Burns said, as he encouraged each team during the competition

The Alpha Dogs team won with a time of 17 minutes and 30 seconds after taking a one-minute penalty for arguing.

The Dragon Slayers had a time of 18 minutes and six seconds.