The Little Rock Fire Department proudly serves the citizens and visitors of the City of Little Rock and the State of Arkansas. Little Rock, Arkansas’s capital city, is the state’s largest municipality, with a population of approximately 210,000 people. The Little Rock Fire Department is a dynamic organization that protects its citizens and 122 square miles of property with 22 Fire Stations and 420 personnel. LRFD also supports the emergency service agencies and 1,000,000 people in the surrounding metro area.
The mission of the Little Rock Fire Department is to provide immediate fire and emergency medical service in a professional and efficient manner.
Our mission and vision have led us to become an Insurance Services Organization (ISO) Class 1 department. An ISO Class 1 rating is a true rarity, occupying only a small percentage of the top 1% of all fire departments in the country. Only 329 of the nation’s approximately 45,000 fire departments have received this rating. The training and preparation required to obtain a Class 1 rating are extensive.
LRFD is also an Accredited Agency with the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). Our department is one of 295 accredited organizations in the United States and Canada. Accredited organizations are frequently described as community-focused, data-driven, outcome-focused, strategic-minded, well-organized, properly equipped and adequately staffed and trained.
The Little Rock Fire Department is one of only 55 departments in the United States that has both CPSE National Accreditation AND an ISO Class 1 rating. That puts us in the top 0.2% in the country.
LRFD exists to serve our community. This service is managed and delivered through two divisions, the Operations Division and Administrative Division.
Operations
The Emergency Operations Division consists of the Assistant Fire Chief of Operations, 22 Engine Companies, eight Ladder Companies, one Technical Rescue (USAR), two Hazardous Materials units, one Bomb Squad, four Airport Rescue & Firefighting (ARFF) units, 14 Battalion Chiefs, and six Squad Units. These companies respond from 22 strategically located fire stations within the City. The City is divided into four fire battalions, each commanded by a Battalion Chief.
Suppression & Medical
Uniformed personnel staff the above units on a 24-hour rotation, 365 days a year, ensuring our citizens’ lives and property are always protected. Members of the LRFD are trained to National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) standards in firefighting, as well as being certified as National Emergency Medical Technicians. Our personnel respond to nearly 40,000 incidents each year.
Fire Prevention
The Fire Prevention/Code Enforcement Division consists of the Chief Fire Marshal and seven Assistant Fire Marshals. They are charged with the prevention of fire within the City of Little Rock by delivering education, conducting inspections, enforcement of the Arkansas Fire Code and the ordinances adopted by the City of Little Rock.
Community Outreach
The Community Outreach Program hosts events and provides educational material on Fire Safety throughout the City of Little Rock. The department also provides free smoke alarms through this program to homeowners that are unable to purchase one themselves.
Professional Development
The Training & Professional Development Division’s primary focus is to develop and provide the highest-quality training and education to the members of the Little Rock Fire Department and the public they serve. Compliance with a multitude of complex Federal, State and local standards and regulations is ensured by the actions of this Division. Programs are delivered in the following areas:
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Vehicle Extrication
- Fire Suppression and Emergency Operations
- Urban Search & Rescue (USAR)
- Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)
- Officer and Career Development
- Physical Fitness
- Mental Health
- Recruit Academy
Special Capabilities
Hazardous Materials
The HazMat team responds for site assessment, container evaluation, threat assessment, victim removal, identification/analysis of the toxic materials, evacuation and sampling of the unknown material. HazMat also performs decontamination of personnel and equipment at structure fires to reduce the risk of firefighter exposure and responds to WMD and terrorist incidents. The HazMat team comprises over 60 technician-level personnel and two HazMat response vehicles.
Technical Rescue
The Urban Search and Rescue team (USAR) is comprised of highly skilled members who specialize in the safe and expedient rescue of trapped victims. From vehicle accidents to distressed swimmers, building collapses to cave rescues, and everything in between. These men and women respond all over the city with advanced equipment and techniques to stabilize extraordinary events.
Bomb Squad
Emergency response to suspected bombs, bomb threats, explosive devices, or suspicious packages is the mission of the LRFD Bomb Squad. They train and work alongside the FBI, ATF, and LRFD HazMat team for terrorist and WMD events as well. The Bomb Squad consists of a dozen technician-level members, who are also certified law enforcement officers.
Airport Rescue & Firefighting
The ARFF station has four state-of-the-art Emergency Response Vehicles and 12 FAA-certified aircraft firefighting personnel. There are an additional 12 firefighters who provide support to airport emergency needs and meet the same training regulations as personnel directly assigned to the ARFF station.
Administration
The Administrative Division coordinates and supports all the Little Rock Fire Department’s operations. The Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief of Administration, Accreditation Manager, Data Analyst and four administrative secretaries make up this division. This Division oversees the Department’s acquisition, inventory and distribution of equipment and supplies, in addition to organizing the Department’s information technology and communications needs. Furthermore, this Division oversees policies, procedures and budget preparation, as well as coordinating the upkeep and maintenance of all Fire Stations and Fire Department property.
Personnel
Everything our organization does revolves around our people. Little Rock has a talented and enthusiastic lineup of firefighters that deliver our wide range of services. Their knowledge and training make it possible to adapt our operations to meet any risk or hazard that presents itself within our community. Many of our department personnel are engaged in upholding our department’s mission and vision by serving the citizens without pause.
LRFD recognizes the need to represent the community we serve. City administration and department leadership have made great strides in engaging minorities and females to create inclusive opportunities regardless of background, ability or education. This trend will no doubt continue in future years to include our community’s growing Asian and Hispanic population.
Our personnel are committed to excellence in everything we do. Some of our personnel spend their own time, energy and finances to participate in training and education that benefits the department and community. We have some of the highest trained, educated and certified personnel in the emergency service industry. The LRFD is made up of amazing people, and it is those people who make the organization what it is.
Community
The city of Little Rock was voted as one of the best places to live in Arkansas. Made up of a diverse citizenry and offering a dense suburban feel to the many families and young professionals who live here, Little Rock is home to a close-knit and welcoming community.
The Little Rock Fire Department loves and respects our citizens, and they love and respect us. We work together to create a safe community by holding a Citizen’s Academy to teach our community members about fire safety and medical emergencies. We host fire prevention and community outreach programs to educate our citizens and let them meet the men and women who serve them. The support we receive is what drives us to be the best.
The Future
As we see across the world today, safety and security within our communities is an uncertainty. LRFD remains vigilant in preparing for known and unknown risks, hazards and disasters. Our strategic plan for 2022 includes adding over 50 additional personnel to meet the continuously increasing need for our services, as well as consideration for a 23rd fire station and fifth battalion due to our expanding city boundaries. Without a doubt, the Little Rock Fire Department and its personnel are more dedicated than ever to delivering the best customer service and life-safety protection available.
For more information, go to www.littlerock.gov/city-administration/city-departments/fire-department
About the Author
Casey Jones is a Captain and Special Operations Specialist with the Little Rock Fire Department (AR). He holds advanced degrees in Fire Science, Fire Admin and Business. He is also a Chief Training Officer and Personal Trainer.
