The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) has partnered with the White River Firefighter Training Association and area fire departments to offer a Firefighter Rookie School. The program utilizes a partnership and curriculum through the Arkansas Fire Training Academy (AFTA) in Camden, Arkansas. The program starts October 6, 2026 and will run for 38 weeks covering the material of Firefighter I and II.
“We want to support the next generation of fire fighters in our area,” said Stacey Caplener, Pleasant Plains Fire Chief, “By working with the Arkansas Fire Training Academy and UACCB, we can make sure they have a good foundation.”
Local fire departments and the chiefs of the White River Training Association have come together to provide equipment, vehicles, and instructors to ensure this program meets AFTA standards. Captain Robert Beel of Searcy Fire Department will serve as Lead Instructor for the Rookie School, bringing 19 years of experience in emergency services, fire science, and fire training with him.
This is the list of fire department participating in the Rookie School at UACCB:
- 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
Vital Link EMS is donating a new television and computer for the Rookie School program to be used at the Fire Training Center on UACCB’s campus. The level of support from the community has been positive, with interest in the Rookie School already high.
“Partnerships like this are exactly how we respond to the needs of the communities we serve,” said Dr. Becky Warren of UACCB. “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.”
The prerequisites and clearances required for enrollment must be completed before registering for the Firefighter Rookie School:
- CPR Certification must be completed before enrolling and prior to the start of the program
- Physical & 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 the student’s sponsorship, clearance, and completion of required prerequisites
Prior to Firefighter I testing, students must 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 (NIMS), An Introduction
- IS-800 — National Response Framework, An Introduction
- Wildland Firefighting
Important: Students should carefully review these requirements and begin completing the required certifications early. The prerequisites and clearances listed above must be completed before registering for the Rookie School.
Individuals interested in participating should work with their local fire department or volunteer fire department to get started in the Rookie School. Students are eligible to utilize the Arkansas Workforce Challenge scholarship to cover the entire cost of the program. Current firefighters can also participate in individual courses on a one-of basis for training needs. More information and the link to the program page is available at https://uaccb.coursestorm.com/course/firefighter-i.
