Fire Department Operations

Firefighter in full protective gear directing a jet of water toward a building

Firefighting

The Fayetteville Fire Department is responsible to prepare for, respond to and control all types of fires within the City of Fayetteville. The department coordinates firefighting activities, including suppression, to support local agencies involved in rural and urban firefighting. The Fayetteville Fire Department conducts an extensive fire-training program for its employees. Firefighters are given progressive training in the techniques and science of fire control as they advance through their careers. Professional Development and higher education is encouraged for all employees. Fire fighting requires the most resources and has the greatest potential for loss of life and property

Emergency Medical Services

Our fire fighters provide Basic Life Support (BLS), including scene control, patient assessment, stabilization and treatment. Early defibrillation and good CPR is proven to provide the best chances of survival of a heart attack, so all of our uniform personnel are trained to at least the level of emergency medical technicians. In addition, all of our apparatuses are equipped with automatic external defibrillators and a full cache of BLS medical supplies and equipment.  

Six Emergency Medical Professionals providing aid to a man lying on a stretcher
Side of Fayetteville Fire Department Hazardous Material Unit truck

Hazmat

The Hazmat team is composed of 30 personnel trained to the Technician level and supported by the remainder of the department, who are trained to the Operations level. We are also supported by and train with teams from surrounding departments and the 61st Civil Support Team out of Little Rock.

The team is divided into five groups: Air monitoring/Sampling, Protective Equipment, Communications/Research, Decontamination and Spill Control. Two specialists are in charge of each group.

We respond not only in Fayetteville, but anywhere in Northwest Arkansas when requested. In addition to emergency mitigation, team members will conduct air monitoring at events where a large number of people are present.

Technical Rescue Team (TRT)

Forty-five team members are highly trained in rope rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue and structural collapse. 

Technical Rescue Team members also receive technician-level training in heavy vehicle/machinery extrication and antenna/tower rescue.

Three firefighter trainees practicing tying rope around a pillar
Two men bracing and steering inflatable raft along white water rapids

Swift Water Rescue

Members of the team are trained and equipped to enter a flood or swift-water scenario. The firefighters first must be a certified swift-water technician which teaches them the fundamentals of survival in moving water.

Some areas of Fayetteville are prone to flooding during the rainy season. Along with three city lakes and the White River, there are open creek areas and low-lying areas that pose a threat.

Airport Rescue

Station 13 is located on South School Avenue and houses the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) apparatus. This station is unmanned except for during incoming flights of commercial airlines. Station 6 and Station 3 cover this station when there is any type of aircraft emergency. Everyone assigned to these stations is ARFF Certified.

Two firefighters training by spraying water on a burning airplane hull
Fire chief reading speech at the Fayetteville Town Center while four Honor Guard members hold rifles

Honor Guard

The Fayetteville Fire Department Honor Guard was established in 2002. The mission of the Honor Guard is to exhibit honor, respect and tradition at funerals and ceremonies. When first formed, it consisted of six members, including two Captains, two Drivers and two Firefighters. These members provide the posting of colors at funerals for retired and current members of the Fayetteville Fire Department. They have also been invited to perform the ringing of the bell ceremony at funerals of other fire service members of Northwest Arkansas. Currently, the Honor Guard is made up of two founding members and six other members.