This wildland firefighting course is provided by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Forestry Division. This class introduces how fire departments and Forestry Division personnel will work together to stop a fire. Wildland firefighting and structural firefighting are very different situations, yet we share many of the same thought processes when we deal with fires. The instructor for this class is Regina Gregory. Course length: 8 hours. 

This class will not qualify you as a wildland firefighter, however, you will learn how the Forestry Division works on fire incidents. Through communication, cooperation, and coordination, our agencies will be able to provide a positive outcome to the incident, the fire is extinguished. We always do this with safety in mind.

In order to receive a certificate for this course, the student must: Attend the entire course, take an end-of-course test, and pass the test. The test will cover the course material. 

About the instructor:

Regina Gregory began her career in forestry in May 2005 as a Fire Plow Operator, where she played a crucial role in combating wildland fires. After a decade of dedicated service, Ms. Gregory was promoted to County Ranger in October 2015, assuming a broader range of responsibilities within the forestry department. In July 2021, she took on a new challenge as a Wildland Training Instructor, sharing her knowledge and expertise to train the next generation of forestry professionals.

For more information, call 870-612-2082 or email katrina.stevens@uaccb.edu

Your Fire Career Starts Here

Prepare for a career in the fire service through comprehensive Firefighter I (FFI) and Firefighter II (FFII) training that combines classroom instruction with hands-on, fire-ground experience. Students will develop essential skills in fire suppression, structural firefighting, hazardous materials, wildland firefighting, traffic incident management, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) use, and other critical emergency response operations. The program includes practical skills training, live-fire exercises, job performance requirements, and written examinations aligned with Arkansas Fire Training Academy (AFTA) standards and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1010. Successful completion of the required coursework and examinations may lead to AFTA, International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), and Pro Board certification in Firefighter I and II. The complete FFI & FFII pathway requires a minimum of 320 hours of training and is designed to prepare students to perform safely, confidently, and effectively as professional firefighters. This program is a partnership between the participating fire departments of Independence County and the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB).

Tuition

The Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship will cover 100% of the tuition for eligible students.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

• Must be an Arkansas resident for at least 12 months.
• Must be a high school graduate or have received a high school equivalency (GED).

Get Started

To register for this program and secure tuition coverage through the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship, follow these steps:

• Apply to the program by clicking "Add to Wait List" at the link above.
• Get a signed Student Sponsorship Letter from your Fire Chief. This process includes completing a physical exam through your fire department.
• Provide a copy of your high school diploma, transcript, or GED to workforce@uaccb.edu.
• Call 870-612-2082 or email to schedule an appointment to complete your Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship application.

Class Schedule and Location

• Dates: October 6, 2026 – April 15, 2027
• Days & Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Course Hours: 360
• Location: White River Firefighter Training Center at UACCB 

Prerequisites & Clearances

Prerequisites and clearances required for enrollment must be completed before registering for the Firefighter Rookie School.

Required Before Enrolling in Firefighter Rookie School

• CPR Certification — Must be completed before enrolling and prior to the start of the program.
• Physical & Administrative Clearance — Required clearance confirming the student meets the program’s physical and administrative requirements.
• Medical Clearance — A full physical evaluation clearing the student for rigorous physical training and hands-on practical activities.
• Student Sponsorship Letter — A signed letter from the student’s Fire Chief confirming the student’s sponsorship, clearance, and completion of required prerequisites.

Required Certifications

Must Be Completed Prior to Firefighter I Testing

The following certifications must be completed before the student is eligible for Firefighter I testing:

• 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 & clearances listed above must be completed before registering. The required certifications must be completed prior to Firefighter I testing. 

How to Submit

Once completed, submit your Student Sponsorship Letter using any of these methods:

• In-Person: Bring documents to the Welcome Center. 
• Email: Send documents to workforce@uaccb.edu.
• Phone: Call 870-612-2082 to finalize your enrollment and application.

Deadline to Register

The deadline to register and have all requirements completed is strictly 2 weeks prior to the course. Deadline is September 22, 2026. 

Act fast — seats are limited!

A minimum of 6 students is required for the class to run. The maximum enrollment is 20 students. 

Take the first step today

• Your career as a certified firefighter starts here!
• Call 870-612-2082
• Email workforce@uaccb.edu
• Visit the Welcome Center on UACCB's campus