Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Bella Vista officials fired up to show off new center; residents get preview
BELLA VISTA — Residents recently explored the city’s new Fire Training Center located off U.S. 71 just south of the state line.
Dozens of people from Bella Vista turned out May 3 for an open house at the center, which includes a five-story training tower; an adjacent two-story building for live burns; a support building with classrooms; an EMS lab and vehicle bay; and a driver training area.
Firefighters provided demonstrations during the event, with some rappelling the training tower.
The center is decades in the making and was built with money from a voter-approved bond issue passed in 2020. It officially opened in February.
“I think it’s great for the citizens to come out and see what we’ve done with their taxpayer dollars and what kind of use we’re putting them to,” Bella Vista Fire Chief Steve Sims said, adding he was pleased with the large turnout.
Sims said the center helps with training.
“It means a lot to the Fire Department,” he said. “Probably the most important thing is the personnel can get good quality training, making them more proficient in their job and actually stay inside their own city, their own response area, while they’re doing the training.”
The city’s Fire Department previously used training resources across Northwest Arkansas. The chief said his department now can return the favor.
“We’ve had all kinds of departments already train here so far,” Sims said.
The firefighters who were rappelling the training tower during the open house are part of the department’s special operations team, Sims said. Members who opt in for this team receive special training. Team member Michael Harris stopped midway down and leaned backward to hang Batman-style for a while, drawing applause from the crowd.
Capt. Chuck Lawson led visitors through the center and explained the various equipment used in live burn training exercises.
“I can’t thank the taxpayers and citizens of Bella Vista enough for helping to pass the bond issue to make this possible for the city of Bella Vista Fire Department,” Sims said.
In March 2020, voters approved bonds and a 1% sales tax increase for construction of the Public Safety Building on Forest Hills Boulevard, which opened last year; a new Fire Station 3 on Glasgow Road; and the Fire Training Center.
Earlier this year, Mayor John Flynn said these bonds, totaling $24.3 million, are on target to be paid off ahead of schedule in October 2027.
The Fire Training Center’s support building includes offices, a large training room, restrooms with showers and a vehicle bay large enough for two vehicles, including an older model ambulance and fire engine reserved for training purposes.
The building attached to the training tower contains burn rooms, which are covered in flame-resistant tiles. Firefighters set fires inside the two-story structure and practice putting them out.
The five-story tower is used for climbing training, ropes training and rappelling.
The driver training area contains an extra-thick surface — a pad made of 6 inches of concrete — to withstand prolonged use of heavy equipment. Firefighters can set up courses to maneuver trucks around obstacles, practice backing up the vehicles and do any other driver training needed.