ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, March 17, 1996                 TAG: 9603180054
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B-3  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: CLIFTON FORGE

FIREFIGHTERS MAY LEAVE TOWN WITHOUT ASKING

After almost 45 years, Clifton Forge's entire Fire Department may leave the city limits without checking first with the mayor.

Under a 1951 resolution, the Fire Department's then-new American LeFrance fire truck could not leave the city limits without permission from the mayor or two members of City Council. Last week, however, the council rescinded the resolution to allow the 1,500-gallon tanker to cross city lines without checking first.

The Clifton Forge Fire Department covers blazes in several sections of Alleghany County.

``This resolution is ancient, but it's apparently something that's still being referenced to over at the Fire Department,'' City Manager Richard Magnifico said. ``They don't have a free hand right now, because they're pointing to something that is 40 years old.''

- Associated Press

LENGTH: Short :   28 lines