Benton Fire Department receives $750,000 to build in-house training facility

BENTON, Ark.- For years new firemen in Benton had to travel to facilities outside of the area to receive training. Some even had to travel as far as Texas and Oklahoma.

In the past, $250,000 was allocated to the establishment of a training center in Benton, but Chief Russell Evans said that was not enough.

In a recent financial planning meeting, Evans requested a $500,000 increase to build a new state of the art training facility in Mountain Park.

With the support of the mayor, the funds were granted, and the Benton Fire Department has been approved to begin the process of establishing its new facility.

Evans said this could not have come at a better time since he has so many veteran firemen with at least 30 years of service or more approaching retirement.

He said his department now has a younger group coming in and they need access to proper training, and this project will provide that.

The new facility will feature a three-tier fire training center, a new house fire truck, more equipment, and a classroom.

It will also have the latest technology to accommodate every learning style.

The project is scheduled to begin later this year.

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