FAYETTEVILLE -- City officials hope a recently adopted Firefighters Bill of Rights will help the Fire Department retain employees and keep morale high.

Fayetteville became the first city in the state to adopt the Firefighters Bill of Rights, following City Council approval last month.

Arkansas state legislators passed Act 686 of 2025 in April. The law acts as a template for a Firefighters Bill of Rights, laying out basic employment protections for firefighters, said Rep. Andrew Collins, D-Little Rock, a sponsor of the law.

The bill of rights sets a standard for how complaints against firefighters should be handled and what steps should be taken before disciplinary action and prevents discrimination in firing and promotion decisions.

For example, the law lays out where and how any inter

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