University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville

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