17 Arkansas fire departments are joining forces with the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville and the White River Firefighter Training Association to help train the next generation of firefighters.
UACCB announced September 1 that a new 38-week Firefighter Rookie School will begin October 6, 2026.
The program will cover material for Firefighter I and Firefighter II and will utilize a partnership and curriculum through the Arkansas Fire Training Academy in Camden.
“We want to support the next generation of firefighters in our area,” Pleasant Plains Fire Chief Stacey Caplener said. “By working with the Arkansas Fire Training Academy and UACCB, we can make sure they have a good foundation.”
17 FIRE DEPARTMENTS PARTICIPATING
A total of 17 area fire departments are participating in the new Rookie School.
Local fire departments and chiefs with the White River Firefighter Training Association are working together to provide equipment, vehicles and instructors to help ensure the program meets Arkansas Fire Training Academy standards.
The participating departments are:
• Batesville Fire Department
• Bethesda Fire Department
• Cave City Fire Department
• Charlotte Fire Department
• Cord Fire Department
• Cushman Fire Department
• Desha Fire Department
• Floral Fire Department
• Pleasant Plains Fire Department
• Melbourne Fire Department
• Newark Fire Department
• Northside Fire Department
• Oil Trough Fire Department
• Ruddell Hill Fire Department
• Southside Fire Department
• Sulphur Rock Fire Department
• Union Hill-Thida Fire Department
SEARCY FIRE CAPTAIN TO LEAD PROGRAM
Captain Robert Beel of the Searcy Fire Department will serve as lead instructor for the Firefighter Rookie School.
Beel brings 19 years of experience in emergency services, fire science and fire training to the program.
VITAL LINK EMS DONATES EQUIPMENT
Vital Link EMS is also supporting the new program.
The organization is donating a new television and computer that will be used at the Fire Training Center on UACCB’s campus.
UACCB officials say community support for the Rookie School has been positive and interest in the program is already high.
“Partnerships like this are exactly how we respond to the needs of the communities we serve,” Dr. Becky Warren of UACCB said.
“By bringing together UACCB, the White River Firefighter Training Association, the Arkansas Fire Training Academy, and local fire departments, we are creating a strong pathway for individuals to receive high-quality training while helping our communities build and sustain a well-prepared emergency response workforce.”
REQUIREMENTS BEFORE ENROLLING
Several prerequisites and clearances must be completed before a student can register for the Firefighter Rookie School.
Those requirements include:
• CPR certification completed before enrollment and before the program begins
• Physical and administrative clearance confirming the student meets the program’s physical and administrative requirements
• A full physical evaluation clearing the student for rigorous physical training and hands-on practical activities
• A signed sponsorship letter from the student’s fire chief confirming sponsorship, clearance and completion of required prerequisites
ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Before Firefighter I testing, students must also have the following certifications:
• TIMS — Traffic Incident Management Systems
• ICS-100 — Introduction to the Incident Command System
• ICS-200 — Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
• IS-700 — National Incident Management System, An Introduction
• IS-800 — National Response Framework, An Introduction
• Wildland Firefighting
Officials are encouraging prospective students to carefully review the requirements and begin completing the required certifications early.
All prerequisites and clearances must be completed before registration.
SCHOLARSHIP COULD COVER ENTIRE COST
Individuals interested in participating should work with their local fire department or volunteer fire department to begin the process.
Students are eligible to utilize the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship to cover the entire cost of the program.
Current firefighters may also participate in individual courses on a one-off basis to meet specific training needs.
The 38-week Firefighter Rookie School begins October 6, 2026.
More information about the program is available at:
https://uaccb.coursestorm.com/course/firefighter-i
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