Fire Chief Jamie Baggett and Nathan Claytor, director of Pea Ridge Academy's Alternative Learning Environment program, were the featured speakers at the Third Thursday Community Update hosted by the Pea Ridge Optimist Club in the community room at the Pea Ridge Community Library. The two discussed how to improve at-risk high school students' work skills and help the Fire Department.
Baggett and Claytor outlined progress within their own initiatives, which led to plans that might help each other meet goals.
Baggett has served as Pea Ridge fire chief for five years and has worked at the department for seven years, he said. He described the Pea Ridge Fire Department as "up and coming" but lacking financial resources.
About 50 people work for the department and half are volunteers, Baggett said. The department began with volunteers but has transitioned into a combination of paid and unpaid firefighters, but none work full time in Pea Ridge. Many work shifts at multiple departments.
"We were always deemed as a volunteer department, so it's a struggle," Baggett said.
Claytor became director of Pea Ridge Academy's ALE program, which helps at-risk students falling behind in school, during the spring semester. He hopes students in this program will get involved in the community, and he thinks the Fire Department can provide volunteer work opportunities, he said.
Students can help paint fire hydrants in the city during the fall or spring semester after officials test the hydrants, Baggett said during the meeting. Colors indicate how many gallons per minute the hydrant can release or the water source.
The high school program involves about 20 students who might lack work skills or the motivation to succeed in school, Claytor said. The program goals involve connecting students with positive role models, providing work experience and preparing them for life after high school.
"What we're trying to do is have kids who have never thought about what they're doing after high school to start that thought process," Claytor said.
Claytor asked people to donate T-shirts from any college, university or technical school for students to wear in the fall. He expects the T-shirts to serve as conversation starters, which will help them talk about what higher education involves, he said.
Completing a project with the fire department or elsewhere in the community will also help prepare them for the next step of life, Claytor said.
"Whatever it is, we'll go out and show them what work is and how to do a good job," he said.
Eight people attended Thursday's meeting. John Lasater, president of the Pea Ridge Optimist Club, said attendance usually increases in the fall to nearly 20 people. The next meeting will be Aug. 16 at the Pea Ridge Community Library and feature Pea Ridge School District superintendent Rick Neal as speaker.
Community on 07/25/2018