BusIness GuIde

Region’s Cities, Counties Cooperatefor Public Safety, Pro-Business ClimateGOVERNMENTLIFESTYLEThe cities and counties in Central Arkansas cooperate to provide public safety services, including firefighting.MunicipalitiesLittle RockLittle Rock operates under the city managerform of government. The Board of Directors iscomposed of 11 representatives: a directly electedmayor, seven directors elected from wards andthree at-large directors.Little Rock employs 550 police officers, who usecars, motorcycles, bicycles and horses to patrolthe streets of the city. The department also hasa crime prevention unit, community-orientedpolice officers and many other specialized units.Little Rock has a Class 2 fire rating, with about400 paid firefighters. The department operates20 fire stations with 20 engine pump companies,eight ladder companies and three aircraftfirefighting units. The department has an urbansearch and rescue team, a hazardous materialsteam and a bomb squad. The department alsomaintains staffing in administration, training andfire prevention.North Little RockNorth Little Rock operates under a mayor-aldermanform of government. The Police Departmentemploys 192 officers and has 116 radio-equippedpatrol cars, among other vehicles. North LittleRock has a Class 2 fire rating and operates with153 firefighters, 10 fire stations and 28 units ofequipment.BentonBenton operates under a mayor-council formof government. The city has 56 sworn policeofficers, with 11 civilian police employees and50 fully equipped police vehicles, including allterrainvehicles and two Segways. Benton has 54paid firefighters, 14 pieces of mobile equipmentand a Class 3 fire rating.BryantBryant operates under a mayor-council form ofgovernment. The city has 34 police officers, threereserve officers and 38 radio-equipped vehicles.The Saline County Sheriff’s Department alsoprovides protection. Fire protection is providedby 47 full-time firefighters and three part-timefirefighters, with 14 pieces of mobile equipmentand a rescue boat. The fire rating is Class 3.CabotCabot operates under a mayor-council form ofgovernment. The city has 35 police officers, 13support staff and 34 radio-equipped vehicles.Thirty-two full-time personnel and 21 paidon-call firefighters provide fire protection with15 pieces of mobile equipment and four trailers.A page alarm system is in use. The fire rating isClass 3.CarlisleCarlisle operates under a mayor-council formof government. The city has six full-time policeofficers, three part-time officers and seven radioequippedpatrol cars. Fire protection is providedby a volunteer fire department of 18 people withfive pieces of mobile equipment. The fire ratingis Class 5.ConwayConway operates under a mayor-council form ofgovernment and has achieved the coveted statusof having an internationally accredited policeagency. Only 551 of the nation’s 17,000 municipalagencies are accredited, and in Arkansas,Conway is one of three agencies that have earnedthis distinction. The department is staffed by 112police officers and 73 radio-equipped vehicles.Fire protection is afforded by 104 paid firefightersand 25 pieces of mobile equipment, and the cityhas a Class 2 fire rating.JacksonvilleJacksonville operates under a mayor-council formof government. The city has 74 police officers,10 auxiliary officers and 56 radio-equippedpolice vehicles. The Fire Department has fourfire stations, 12 mobile fire response units andthree emergency medical services (EMS) vehicles.Jacksonville has 63 paid firefighters. The ratingcode is Class 3.LonokeLonoke operates under a mayor-council form ofgovernment. The city has 10 paid officers and 14Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce 2009 Business Guide 39