PHOTOS: It was a special day for a group of new rookie firefighters, graduating after eight weeks of intensive fire training and experiencing their first fire in Friday's live fire evolution, as friends and family observed. "This is the first time they see fire and feel fire," said Michael Rios, Fire Prevention Officer for Clarksville Fire Rescue. It was also a special day for a veteran among their ranks who entered the burning building along with the recruits, retiring Fire Chief Michael Roberts, who after 42 years with the department will retire effective July 31. "They did great," said Roberts. "I'd be proud to go with them anywhere." The live fire evolution, conducted in a special burn building at the Clarksville Fire Rescue headquarters downtown, is conducted like a real-life fire scenerio. It gives the rookies a chance to experience what it's like making entry into a burning building.