Forestry
Protecting Arkansas’s forests, and those who enjoy them, from wildland fire and natural hazards while promoting rural and urban forest health, stewardship, development, and conservation for all generations of Arkansans
Rural Fire Protection Program
The Rural Fire Protection (RFP) office was established by Arkansas Act 36 of 1979 to aid communities and fire departments with the establishment, development, and operation of fire protection districts. Today that includes assisting with organization, training, and equipment needs. Communities need prepared, well-equipped fire departments to better protect lives, property, and the environment. There are currently over 700 firefighting vehicles issued across the state from the RFP office, with an original acquisition cost of $7.9 million in property issued annually.
Contact Information
Main Phone: (501) 679-3581
Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (excluding state holidays)
Mailing Address: #20 Industrial Blvd. Greenbrier, AR
Physical Address: #20 Industrial Blvd. Greenbrier, AR
RFP Administrator: Kathryn Mahan-Hooten (501) 679-3183
Email: kathryn.mahan@agriculture.arkansas.gov
RFP Coordinator: Greyson Cooper (501) 679-3186
Email: greyson.cooper@agriculture.arkansas.gov
RFP Shop: Adam Bartelt (501) 679-4377
Email: adam.bartelt@agriculture.arkansas.gov
RFP Instructor: Regina Gregory (479) 214-3981
Email: regina.gregory@agriculture.arkansas.gov
Programs and Services
Eligibility
Before participating in any program within the Rural Fire Protection office, a fire department must be legally organized and have a current cooperative agreement signed by the fire chief on file. Written authorization must also be on file for any additional personnel to receive equipment on behalf of a fire department.
- Cooperative Agreement (167.39 KB)
- Written Authorization (112.91 KB)
- Firefighter Property (FFP) Program Standard Operating Procedures (261.43 KB)
- Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) Program Standard Operating Procedures (234.13 KB)
- FEPP/FFP Fire Boats Standard Operating Procedures (85.15 KB)
- Interest Free Loans
- Contract Sales
- Wildland Fire Suppression Kits
- Training
- Firefighter Property Program
- Federal Excess Personal Property Program
- RFP Shop
- What's in the Warehouse?
Fire departments in which at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the firefighters are volunteer, and which serves a community with a population of 10,000 or less may apply for an interest free loan.
- Only one loan is allowed at a time
- Loans may be for up to $15,000 (after down payment)
- A down payment of twenty-five percent (25%) is required.
- Loans may be requested to purchase firefighting equipment or vehicles only.
For additional information on loans please see the following:
- Guidelines for Requesting a Loan (172 KB)
Fire departments may also purchase certain firefighting equipment from the RFP office. Items typically available include slip-in skid units, pump and engine, lights, sirens, anode rods, etc.
The below information was last updated 10/14/2022. For up-to-date information and to reserve a unit please contact our office.
Pump/Engine: $3,850.00
Vanguard 18 hp VGD-MR engine, electric start with recoil start backup.
Max Discharge Volume: 265 GPM at 50 PSI Max Discharge Pressure: 200 PSI at 60 GPM
Center of performance curve: 190 GPM at 100 PSI and 140 GPM at 150 PSI
One 1 ½” discharge (male) One 2 ½” inlet (female)
Slip-In Skid Unit (water only): $15,200.00
Includes pump/engine described above. 250-gallon polypropylene tank with 2” sight gauge, electric rewind hose reel, 1”x150’ rubber hose w/ 300 PSI.
Dimensions: 96” length x 48” width x 48 11/16” height
Slip-In Foam Skid Unit: $16,200.00
Includes above described water skid unit. 10 Gallon integrated foam cell installed directly into the tank and an around the pump foam proportioning system.
Performance range at 100 PSI for foam system:
400 GPM at .25% 200 GPM at .50% 100 GPM at 1.0%
The 2024 grant application period for Wildland Fire Suppression Kits is closed. The next application period is expected to open in August of 2025. Rural volunteer fire departments that serve a population of less than 10,000 and 80 percent or more of the firefighters are volunteer may apply. Kits are provided as a part of the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant from the U.S. Forest Service.”
Fire departments may contact Kathryn Mahan-Hooten at kathryn.mahan@agriculture.arkansas.gov or (501) 679-3183 with questions.
The Basic Wildland Fire Suppression course is offered to all fire departments. This course is a requirement in Arkansas to become a Firefighter I. To view upcoming classes, please click here. To schedule a class, please call the RFP Instructor Regina Gregory at (479) 214-3981.
Fire departments may request federal excess property through the RFP office. FFP equipment is available for fire protection and emergency response only. The department is required to place the equipment in-service within six months of receipt and keep in-service for one year. Once all requirements have been met title to FFP property will pass to the fire department. To view a full list of requirements please refer to the cooperative agreement. FFP is provided in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Fire departments may also ‘shop’ small FFP items that are available in the warehouse during normal business hours. Departments that are further away may call to inquire about warehouse inventory.
All FEPP and FFP equipment still under restriction is subject to inventory when requested.
- Equipment Request Form (151.84 KB)
- Disposal Request Form (147.05 KB)
Fire departments may request federal excess property through the RFP office. FEPP equipment is available for fire protection only. The department is required to place the equipment in-service within six months of receipt and maintain it in operable condition for the entirety of its possession. Title or ownership of FEPP does not pass to the fire department. Once the equipment can no longer be used, the fire department must return it to the RFP office. FEPP is provided in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service.
All FEPP and FFP equipment still under restriction is subject to inventory when requested.
- Equipment Request Form (151.84 KB)
- Disposal Request Form (147.05 KB)
At the request of the fire department, the RFP shop can service, repair, and re-furbish FFP and FEPP equipment upon initial allocation. A portion of this service is provided in cooperation with the Arkansas Correctional Industries. While RFP does not charge for labor, all expenses incurred are the responsibility of the fire department. All services are subject to availability.
The following items are available in the RFP Warehouse.
Note: The RFP Program does not hold available items. Website updates may be delayed - please contact the RFP office for current stock and quantity available.
2024 Rural Fire Show
Arkansas firefighters and their families are invited to the 2024 Rural Fire Show. The event will be held at the Conway Expo Center on Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please RSVP by emailing lisa.k.clark@agriculture.arkansas.gov with your fire department name and number attending. This is a free event with vendors, training, door prizes, lunch, and networking opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a vendor at this year's event, please contact RFP Administrator Kathryn Mahan-Hooten at (501) 679-3183.
Fire Wire Newsletter
Stay up to date on announcements and opportunities from the Rural Fire Protection Program with the Fire Wire Newsletter.
This program is made possible through a grant from the USDA Forest Service.
