A 38-week Firefighter Rookie School is launching at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) through a partnership with the White River Firefighter Training Association and 17 area fire departments. The program uses the Arkansas Fire Training Academy curriculum from Camden and covers Firefighter I and II, starting Oct. 6, 2026.
Instructors and equipment support come from local departments and the association to meet AFTA standards; Capt. Robert Beel of the Searcy Fire Department will lead with 19 years of emergency services experience.
Prerequisites include CPR, physical and administrative clearance, a full physical, and a sponsorship letter from a fire chief.
Before Firefighter I testing, applicants must hold TIMS, ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700 and IS-800; Arkansas Workforce Challenge scholarships may cover the program cost; current firefighters can take individual courses.
For More Information: https://www.whiterivernow.com/2026/09/01/white-river-firefighter-training-association-and-uaccb-launch-firefighter-rookie-school/
