Arkansas Fire Training Academy

The logo for the arkansas fire training academy

The Arkansas Fire Training Academy (AFTA), a division of Southern Arkansas University Tech, is the state’s premier resource for training emergency responders and related professionals. Offering high-quality education grounded in the most current state and national standards, AFTA serves as a trusted hub for fire service personnel, industrial workers, Department of Defense members, and community responders.


14668 HWY 203, Camden, AR 71701

Mission, Vision, and Values

Explore The Mission, Vision and Values of The Arkansas Fire Training Academy and the SAU Tech Deference

  • Mission:

    To meet the needs of emergency and community responders by safely providing comprehensive and high-quality training, education, and certification.



  • Vision:

    To be a highly regarded training authority, known for delivering relevant, accurate, and up-to-date curriculum through trained professionals using appropriate delivery methods, with a strong, recognizable brand across the nation and beyond.

  • Core Values:

    • Professionalism
    • Respect
    • Integrity
    • Dedication
    • Excellence
  • AFTA Accreditation

    AFTA is accredited by two respected national bodies:


    International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) – A non-profit peer-driven organization that accredits fire service certification and education programs.


    The Pro Board – An internationally recognized organization that accredits agencies certifying fire service professionals.

  • Our History

    AFTA History


    The roots of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy and formal firefighter training in Arkansas have a nearly sixty-year history. The fire training was conducted through the Arkansas Fire College in the early forties. With no home base, the instructors, Whit Murphy, Sr., Elmo Anderson, Ralph Scantlin, and Gene Hendricks, traveled around the State to train the firefighters.  The Arkansas Fire Training Academy was formally established in 1967 as a Southwest Technical Institute training division, later known as Southern Arkansas University Tech or SAU Tech. The offices and training site was on SAU Tech's campus in the Highland Industrial Park, the former Shumaker US Naval Ammunition Depot site. The administrative offices for the Arkansas Fire Training Academy were located in the former fire station for the US Naval base. The location served as the Arkansas Fire Training Academy administrative offices, primary classrooms, and central training location.  The fire station renovation was not included in the contract and was done by maintenance employees of the school. Three new fire trucks and much training equipment were acquired for use by the Academy. R. White Murphy, Sr. was designated as the chief instructor, and an office was set up in the administration building for the Fire Training Academy. 


    Phase I construction of the off-campus training site began on land donated by J. W. Weiner of Shreveport, Louisiana, to build a training ground for “firemen.”  A bill was introduced in the 1973 General Assembly to appropriate $250,000 for the construction of the training ground.  This appropriation was a good start in building one of the best fire training grounds in the Southwest. During the 1975 meeting of the General Assembly, Governor David Pryor recommended that an additional $844,000 be given to the Fire Training Academy for Phase II construction. 


    During the spring of 1976, efforts were made to secure the National Fire Training Academy in the area. Governor David Pryor and Director Charles O. Ross appeared before the site selection committee in Washington, D. C. The Academy was finally located near the Nation’s Capital in Maryland.


    The Academy training ground was completed and dedicated in 1977 as the “R. Whit Murphy Fire Training Ground.  In June 2004, the administrative offices for the Arkansas Fire Training Academy were moved out to the main site located within the Highland Park area.  After damage by a tornado in 2009, the site was rebuilt to include a fire station and state-of-the-art classroom facilities. 


    Today the Arkansas Fire Training Academy is a turn-key experience for students – truly one of its kind in the country.  Staff provides relevant and current curriculum and hands-on training to emergency and community responders, industrial staff, Department of Defense personnel, and other public and private organizations either on-site at the beautiful campus or remotely.  Students on campus are provided meals and lodging.  



Campus Life at AFTA

Housing & Check In:
Dorm rooms include a bed, desk, and closet with shared bathrooms. Students should bring bedding, linens, towels, and personal items. Check-in is typically between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM the night before classes begin.

Meals: 
Most students dine on-campus at
The Station cafeteria.

Recreation: 
Students can access multiple fitness areas, walk or run the campus trails, and train on the drill tower in teams. Wireless internet, student lounges with TVs, refrigerators, microwaves, and laundry facilities are available for downtime.

  • A fire truck from the arkansas fire academy

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  • A group of firefighters are standing next to a fire truck.

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  • A group of firefighters are spraying water on a road.

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  • What to Bring

    Dormitory rooms are equipped with a bed, desk, and closet area for each student.  Bathrooms are shared with an adjoining room.  Guests should bring bed linens, towels, and bedding, i.e., pillows, linens, blankets, sleeping bags, fans, etc. Stores are close for items forgotten.

  • When to be Here

    Students should plan to check in the night before class begins between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM unless prior arrangements have been made.  You will be assigned a room at that time.  After check-in and during the week, students can come and go with a 10:00 PM curfew. 

  • Meal Options

    We have a cafeteria on campus, The Station, where meals are provided for most students. 

  • Recreation

    Physical fitness 

    There are three cardio/weight areas located on the campus

    Students may also walk/jog/run on-site and have access to the drill tower in teams

    Downtime

    Free wireless internet is provided throughout the facility, and three student lounges with a television, refrigerator, and microwave are available to all guests.  

    Shared commercial laundry equipment is also available for resident use at no charge.

Fire Training Programs & College Credit

SAU Tech offers degrees and certificates aligned with AFTA coursework:


  • Associate of Applied Science in Fire & Emergency Response
  • Associate of Science in Fire Science Management
  • Technical Certificate in Fire & Emergency Response
  • Technical Certificate in Fire Science Management
  • Certificates of Proficiency in:
  • Fire & Emergency Response
  • Fire Inspector*
  • Fire Instructor*
  • EMS Driver/Operator*
  • Emergency Medical Technician*
  • Fire Officer*


*Note: These CPs cannot be awarded for courses completed before Fall 2022 unless a student started before and completed after Fall 2022.



Credit Process & Scheduling

Students earn college credit for AFTA courses either during active course participation or via the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) process. Credit is applied according to a detailed process involving AFTA instructors, advisors, admissions staff, and the SAU Tech registrar’s office.


Standards School

  • Offered annually in Camden (5 sessions)
  • Covers courses like Firefighter I & II, Hazardous Materials Awareness, and EMS First Responder


Additional Credit Courses

  • Emergency Medical Technician (FS 2026) – 5 classes/year
  • Driver Operator (FS 2134) – 5 classes/year

AFTA Accreditation

The International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) is a non-profit, peer-driven, self-governing system of fire service certification and higher education fire-related degree programs.

The Pro Board aims to establish an internationally recognized means of acknowledging professional achievement in the fire service and related fields. The primary goal is the accreditation of organizations that certify uniform members of public fire departments, both career, and volunteer.